God’s Own Child

When the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:4-7

AS PARENTS, we’re pretty sure that no one knows our child like we do, loves our child as much as we do, or is able to guide and care for our child like we can. No wonder it’s so hard to leave our child for the first time with a babysitter or at Grandma and Grandpa’s house for an overnight. We think that if we can just control the environment, avoid the dangers, and follow the right parenting strategies, we will be able to ensure that our children have a safe and happy childhood that will lead to a successful adulthood. In other words, we think we can be God for our children.

But in this, we vastly undervalue God’s fatherhood as well as overvalue our own. When our children are out of our sight, they are not out of his sight. Right now, God is actively parenting our children.

This reality provides freedom for moms and dads who have blown it and can’t figure out how to fix it: You don’t have to be a perfect parent, and in fact, you never can be. Your children, however, do have a perfect parent. He knows them better than you do and knows what they need more than you do. He loves them more than you do and has more power to act out of that love than you do. He has sacrificed more for them than you have and will be able to care for them beyond your limited lifetime.

Abba, Father, you sent your Son to buy my freedom so that you could adopt me as your own child. And because I’m your child, I stand to inherit everything you have to give to your children. What a loving, saving, caring, giving Father you are. You have entrusted ________ to me to parent during my limited lifetime, but you are ________’s true Father.