Adoption Papers
Adam and Eve, much like Esau, traded their birthright for food. They were tempted by a fruit snack and the promise of a Golden Ticket granting them access to God’s throne room, but instead, they received a one-way bus pass out of town. Despite being the spitting image of their Father, they rejected their identity as His children and became orphans in the wilderness. However, God, not wanting to give up on His prodigal children, orchestrated the most profound readoption plan ever devised.
In the wilderness, Adam and Eve’s descendants were passed from one foster deity to another, yet they were always returned to the orphanage because every inclination of their hearts was evil all the time. Tragically, as time went on, they surpassed the age of prime adoptability, becoming restless wanderers, sojourners, and pilgrims who were perpetually searching for a Father figure—until one particularly dark day when they heard a gentle rapping on the orphanage door.
The manager peered through the peephole and was surprised to see a potential adoptive Father. He invited him in and told him he was free to walk the grounds and talk with the residents. As He made His way through the hallways, He noticed the orphans were unkempt, smelly, and constantly bickering. The manager tried to excuse their behavior by telling Him that caring for them was often like herding cats, yet the Stranger could see that the real problem was that they were sheep without a Shepherd. Moved by compassion, He wrapped his arms around them, pulled them close, and whispered, “Today you will be with me in Paradise.” Staring up at His face, they couldn’t help but notice a startling family resemblance, and despite all the years of accumulated grime and grit, they could see that they still bore His image. He gathered the orphans, walked to the main office, and said, “I’ll take them all.” Stunned, the attendant asked Him if He knew how big a gamble He was taking with such a motley crew, and He replied, “I’ll bet my life on them!” The manager pulled out the paperwork and asked for a signature. The Stranger pulled out his red pen and wrote, “It is finished,” in large, indelible crimson letters.
The orphans, stunned by their adoption, asked their new Father if He had enough room for broken people with so much baggage. He replied, “I no longer see you as broken and have already lightened your load by emptying the skeletons from your closet. You are new creations, born again into my family and heirs to My Kingdom.”
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)
He then cautioned them, “Growing up in my family won’t always be easy. You may occasionally face ridicule because of your new family name, but rest assured, there is no other name under heaven where true family can be found. I know you were raised by wolves in the wilderness, and it will be difficult for you to shake your feral instincts. Some of you will prefer to remain in the wild and howl at the moon, while others will embrace family life, where joyous cries of “Abba! Father!” fill the air. Remember, no matter how dark your night, you will always be able to find your way home because I always leave the Light on.”
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)
God's Screenplay 