When we began our current series in Ephesians we learnt that we are ‘blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing’ (Ephesians 1:3).
Maybe because of the word ‘heavenly’ you might think this is all to do with the future? The blessing of God has everything to do with who you are right now.
Or maybe it’s the word ‘spiritual’ that bothers you? It sounds somewhat unseen and non-specific. If we read further on we find out what the blessing is. It is none other than being adopted by God and being called a child of God.
Adoption is a word we can get our heads round. A small child or infant is completely helpless without adult support, but there is a world of difference between simply having your physical needs met in an orphanage by people who are paid to look after you and actually belonging full-time, permanently to a family: having a parent when you didn’t have one before, belonging to a family. We get that. We understand those two situations are totally different. We know that the ‘unquantifiable’ element of belonging matters way, way more than the simple provision of food, clothes and shelter.
And yet, like forgetful children, we are often so much more preoccupied with physical provisions. The ‘spiritual’ blessing of being adopted and belonging to God can oddly seem less important than the other things we think we need. This is because we live in a world that defines our identity solely in terms of status, appearance or wealth.
God defines your identity. He says ‘you are my child, I chose you’. Take time to stop and be thankful.
ThanksGIVING prayer: Thank God for the children and young people who are part of our church, also thank God for each person willing to help care for them and nurture them in their faith. Is serving in this way one way you could give back to God for all he’s given you?
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