Child of God

     

Child of God. What does that mean? What do we get from that? Why the title? 

For me it’s belonging. Someone is looking out for me. People know who I come from? 

If you think about how we are children of our parents and how that plays out in our life; you can see the value of being called a Child of God. 

Growing up my parents provided all my basic needs and even those not so basic. They protected me from any danger. They taught me life skills. They disciplined me. They were proud to be my parent. Regardless of any mistakes I’d make and disagreements we’d have, they still admitted knowing me. : ) I belonged to them and they were always looking out for me. Even now, I’m 40 years old, married for 15 years and when I get sick my parents still feel the yearning to bring me wonton soup, my favorite I’m sick meal. It’s warms my heart that they want to continue to be my parents, regardless of age. It’s a wonderful blessing. 

Just like my parents would do these things, so much more does God do for me. He looks out for me, protects me and shows me unconditional love. 

My parents are very involved in church. Growing up people tended to treat me with extra kindness, give me special treatment and assumed the best of me. It wasn’t because I was this super kid, but it was a reflection of my parents. People say all the time that children are a reflection of their parents, which is true, but the opposite can also be true. I had done nothing to deserve any special treatment, they did it because I come from my parents. Their attributes were put on me because I’m their child. I’m my parents’ child and I’m proud to hold that title. 

What more than to hold the title of a Child of God. God is loving, faithful, righteous, compassionate, gracious and laundry list of other amazing things. When someone sees me, I want them to see my Father’s attributes in me. I obviously have to show these acts but in that first impression, God’s name is, for lack of a better word, vouching for my character. Think about that, when you meet someone and in your talking you find out they are a Believer, your countenance and attitude changes. You get excited and you know that this person is good people. Now sometimes down the line that may be proven wrong but that first impression give them a lot of clout. 

Like with my earthly parents, I wanted to prove worthy of their name. So I would like to be worthy of God’s name too. God offered me a gift, Jesus, who sacrificed himself for me. Suffered agonizing pain, abandonment and fear so that I had the opportunity to spend eternity with Him. I only needed to believe and accept him. Why wouldn’t I want to be worthy of that?! 

Child of God, it’s value is priceless.