More Thoughts on the Adopting for Life Conference

Delia and I were blessed to get to attend the Adopting for Life conference at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  The speakers were awesome, and the music was phenomenal.  The songs, the sermons, the talks, and the testimonies were so Christ-focused and gospel centered that it left a profound mark on my mind.  I am struggling to put it into words, I feel so emotionally drained (in a good way).

The conference centered around the issue of adoption and its connection to the gospel.  As we care for orphans, we are fulfilling the Great Commission.  More than that, we are imitating the gospel.  When a family adopts it takes someone who was a foreigner biologically and makes them family.  In the same way, through adoption, God brings those who were foreigners to the promises, and makes them his children.

Adoption is a part of God's plan for making families, and we get to take part in that.  We are walking in our Father's footsteps when we care for orphans.  Delia and I have been considering another adoption in the near future, and have been working toward that.  What I heard during this conference confirmed these desires.  We are all called to care for the orphan, if we are really of the faith, although not every one is called to adopt.

I feel tremendously blessed to have been used of the Lord to adopt.  Both of my girls, (Ellie, who has gone on to be with the Lord, and Sophia), were brought into my life through the gift of adoption.  In eternity, before I was formed and brought forth into this world, God had set me apart for this entrance into fatherhood.  The very thought of this makes my mind want to explode.  My heart is bursting with joy and gratitude and fear.  And to think that somewhere out there, around the corner of providence, God may have more children waiting to call me daddy.  It's too much to comprehend. 

If they post the audio from the conference, I'll post a link.  The messages are worth listening to.  Let me close by encouraging you to consider your role in ministry of orphan care.  Are you being called to adopt a child?  Are you being called to assist someone who is adopting?  Seize the opportunity, and respond in heartfelt obedience.  You'll be changing someone's life (or many lives) forever.

The Least of These

"And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me'" (Matt. 25:40, ESV).

I'm still ruminating on the the message, "Crucified Orphan Care," by Dr. Russell Moore.  His repeated reference to the "least of these" won't let me go.  Human beings, even in their fallen state, bear the image of God.  If we combine this truth with the fact that Jesus died to redeem them, then it is easy to see that human life is worthy of dignity and honor.

But are we quick to see that image in others? Do we serve others out of desire to serve the Lord?  Do we understand that each individual is "the least of these?"  As I listened to Dr. Moore this evening I had to acknowledge that I wasn't always quick to see the image of God in others.  Somehow I forgot that Jesus views the least of these as his brothers.

When we receive someone in the name of Christ, we receive Christ.  When we receive Christ, we receive the one who sent him.  Thus, the time we spend with the least of these, whether children or others, is time spent with Christ.  As we minister to their needs we minister to Christ.  If we are to do this in the manner in which he desires, then we need his strength to flow through us.