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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Adoption and The Gospel

Each time I testify at a finalization hearing, the legal process before a judge that concludes a family's long adoption journey, I cry. At the hearing, the judge ensures that all legal requirements have been met and that the adoption is in the best interests of the child, a Decree of Adoption is signed, and a new birth certificate is issued with the adoptive couple listed as a the child's parents.

And then it's done. A child forever has a new name. A home. A destiny. I cry because something so much bigger than a court hearing is happening  Something happens in the heavens. Something that's eternal. There is nothing that mirrors the gospel here on earth better than adoption.

This is the beautiful Parsons family who are living out the gospel...
Adoption is costly

This sweet little guy was left alone in a hospital NICU. His birth mother was not in a season to parent and didn't even know she was pregnant when she went into labor 11 weeks early. So this tiny baby, born weighing less than three pounds needed a family.

The Parsons know about cost.  When I called about this little one and outlined his significant medical needs, they knew they were stepping into a situation full of unknowns. They were not only stepping into financial burdens, but long-lasting medical issues, the complexities that go into a having a multi-racial family, and multiple unknowns. But within hours they knew this little one was their son and they named him Zion, without even meeting him yet.

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for the adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.  (Romans 8:23)

We're all born orphaned. This groaning Paul was talking about is the inward cry of every soul to be loved and cared for. To be seen and heard.

When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.  (Galatians 4:4-5)

Many believers miss this. Our adoption is founded on the work of Christ on the cross.  Our adoption was costly We have been saved from being left alone in this world as spiritual orphans.


Adoption, in it's purest form, is never "plan B"

The most amazing couples I've met have said "Yes" to adoption in the most non-traditional forms. They've said yes to babies who don't match their family portrait, yes to adoption before they had a "no" to having biological kids, and yes when their dining room and van were already full. The Parsons said yes to a little boy they weren't even sure would live past the first few weeks of life.

Because these families understand that "perfect" on our terms was never God's plan. Sometimes we think that God wanted a perfect world full of perfect people who could perfectly obey. But God had a much grander plan of creation and rescue and redemption.

He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy ad blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.  (Ephesians 1:4-6)

The American Dream should never be our hope. The big house, big boat, and 2.5 kids behind the white picket fence is not where peace and contentment really lie. Families who choose adoption are never compromising by giving those things up. They are entering into God's rescue and redemption plan in their living rooms.


Adoption means sonship and inheritance

Once an adoption is final, a child gets a new name.  The adoption is legally binding. And the one adopted obtains all the rights and privileges as any biological son or daughter would.

Because you are sons, God has send the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba!  Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, than an heir through God.  (Galations 4:6-7)

The Spirit himself bears witness with out spirit that we are children of God, and if childnre, than heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.  (Romans 8:16-17)

At our adoption, we are given a new life; a new family and an entire kingdom to inherit. Our identity and inheritance are now through Christ.



At each of these finalization hearings there is almost always a collective sigh of relief.  There is completion. There is finalization. There is fulfillment of hope.

Adoption is sacrifice. Adoption is messy. Adoption is beautiful. Adoption is what we were created for.

Adoption is the gospel. May it be on earth as it is in Heaven.



Watch Zion's adoption day and see your adoption in a new light...

 


For more of the Parsons beautiful story and family, check their blog here.

1 comment:

  1. Someday my children are going to tell stories making fun of their mother who would sit at the computer and read stories about the goodness of the Lord and cry. :)

    And I'm going to blame you. :)

    ReplyDelete

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