…that we might receive adoption to sonship (Galatians 4:5b).

Picture a city inhabited by scads of street kids. These poor miserable urchins run rampant through the streets, dig through garbage cans for food, pick pockets, bully and are bullied, cower in dark alleyways and whimper in the night.

Why is this happening? Because they are orphans with no one to parent them.

To bring about some semblance of discipline and hope an orphanage is opened for some of the street kids. Here, under threat of punishment, they learn to live by the rules. They are assigned chores and strictly monitored. Some become haughty, some dejected. They have food and a roof over their heads, though. They are convinced this is as good as it gets. 

One day a generous and loving father comes to the city. He is intent on adopting the kids. All the kids—those still on the streets as well as those in the orphanage—are wanted and invited to join his family. 

Those who take up his offer move into his home, are given his name, and find themselves loved, cared for and secure for the first time in their lives.

There are rules in this household. But, unlike in the orphanage, the father helps each child understand why to and how to obey those rules so that each child—and the whole family--can thrive. 

Those kids who have never had rules have some trouble adjusting at first. Gradually, though, their relationship with their new father produces a longing to be like him.

Those kids from the orphanage, used to having rules imposed on them, have a different sort of adjustment to make. They have to learn to shed the burden of pressure to perform learned in the orphanage and to relax into the loving atmosphere of their father’s home. There they learn that when motivated by love, obedience can be a joy rather than a pain.

The street kids/orphans represent all people.

The orphanage with its rules and regulations represents Judaism/religion.

The father represents our Heavenly Father who adopts us into His family and equips us with His Spirit of love and holy power. As His kids we blossom into our true identity.

The reality of all this is sure; our grasping of it is patchy and progresses in fits and starts. Reflect on how you are, and aren’t, aware of your true identity as God’s kid.

Talk with your Father about how you could move more fully into His House and help others do likewise.