Romans 8: 12-17 v 17 “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share in his glory, we must also share his suffering.”
You have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. If through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the spirit of God are children of God. You received God’s spirit when he adopted you as his own. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share in his glory, we must also share his suffering.”
I have just spent a few days with my sister and her adopted children, and we spent a lovely afternoon with my cousin and their two foster children. All four children were not born to the adults that were with them on this part of their life’s journey. The lives of these children are difficult, complicated by the abandonment of their biological families and enriched by the support of their adopted family. This passage recalled their struggles as the same as ours as we are adopted by God. We enjoy the company of fellow Christians yet feel the abandonment of our biological families who don’t believe. Glory and suffering shared.
Prayer: Heavenly Father thank you for the families we have, and for adopting us into your own family. Help us to navigate the complicated relationships that are a part of our lives remembering the joy of your presence alongside the suffering in our hearts. Amen.
CrossWalk 