When You Feel Like You Don't Belong

 Sometimes we need to be reminded of our true identity. The Bible tells us that as Christians we are adopted into God's forever family.

“In love He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves." Ephesians 1:5

One September day, we got this text:

“We said yes!”

My son and daughter-in-law had been unable to have children of their own, and so they decided to adopt a child from the foster care system. After months of evaluations and classes, they finally got the call. A baby was available for adoption. Would they like to meet her?

Before the meeting, my son told his wife, “We don’t have to decide today. We can go home and talk about it.”

As it turns out, it was the child’s first birthday when my son and daughter-in-law met her. They sent a picture of a tiny girl with wide, questioning brown eyes and a brow furrowed with concern. Another picture showed her glancing sideways in suspicion, as if to say, “Who are these people and why am I here?” A third photo showed her snuggled comfortably in my son’s arms, asleep.

For the happy couple, it was love at first sight. They didn’t need to deliberate. They said “yes” to adoption, and in May the following year, this sweet little girl officially, legally became part of the family.

Though she shares no genetic material with her parents, she is their daughter, possessing the same rights and privileges as any biological child would have. Her parents’ commitment to love and care for their daughter does not hinge on her behavior. Her position is secure.

The beauty of adoption lies in the choice.

Ephesians says that we are God’s adopted children. In accordance with His will, He chose us.  It gave Him pleasure to adopt us. We are part of the family, and He freely gives us His love.

If we ever feel unloved, unwanted, inferior or insecure, consider this: God said “yes” to us. Yes, He loves us. Yes, He wants us. Yes, we are highly privileged because we belong to His forever family. And yes, He’s keeping us.

And that fearful little baby that captured the hearts of her adoptive parents? She is growing into a happy, confident girl who knows she’s loved.

We can be like that. Happy. Confident. Growing. Loved. Adopted as sons and daughters and recipients of His glorious grace.

When you feel like you don't belong, remember, you've been ADOPTED into God's forever family.