Sonship

^{Gal 4:4} But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, ⁵ so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. ⁶ Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” ⁷ Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

 His voice was sad today as he told me his son cancelled his Holiday trip to see the family because there was too much going on to have him visit. 

 Her eyes were full of pain as she expressed her concern over a son who hadn’t called in 6 months. 

 He was brimming in smiles and his eyes were shining as he shared a multitude of jokes to someone, anyone really, who would laugh. 

 They sit at a table together sharing memories of Christmas past.  Their eyes filled with faraway thoughts of family, dinners, parties and friends.  No new visits this year with everyone so busy during the Christmas season. 

 He would not have minded if things weren’t perfect for a visit; she would have been happy to just hear her son’s voice. 

 As I visited the senior homes today, my heart was burdened with a desire to show them the love of Jesus to fill the void of physical affection.  I thought of my own parents and how I would have loved to be with them during this season of my Jesus’ birth.   

 I wondered why ‘work’ or ‘business’ would claim 1^st place over a parent whose only desire was to spend time with the children they raised and are proud of. 

 Time and distance can separate us from loved ones these days & may leave us (parents & children alike) with an orphan spirit.  Left to manage our lives without the assistance of those who care for us the most can leave us feeling alone and unwanted.  But this spirit can be broken.   
 Once filled with a sense of the undeserved grace of our Father’s love we are matured into understanding that performance won’t earn love from God or our earthly parents. 



 Those embraced with the spirit of sonship are secure in the Father’s love and favor.  That confidence provides the contentment to joyfully serve in any capacity needed, whether or not it’s celebrated by anyone other than God.  Those walking in a spirit of sonship recognize they are accepted in Christ and serve others out of that abundance.

 The enemy purports there is something to prove, thereby tearing families apart by pride.  But unconditional love does not fade or die away.  Parents desire to gaze into the face of their child, hold them and be a part of their lives for as long as they can.    

 Walking bathed in the joy of sonship offers the firm foundation of security and self-love stemming from a God who never shifts His shadow.  Focusing on Him keeps us on the right track and refutes the need to provide evidence.  Those walking in sonship have God’s rest on their shoulders and can cease from relying on works so He Who Shepherds our lives can have His way in them.

 Being grounded in the Father’s affirmation, Sonship allows us to freely share our love by blessing others at their need.  Though all humans are sinners and fall short of the glory of God those filled with a sense of divine love and acceptance walk through life with a confident gait.  They have no challenge working in the background, preferring others before them or sacrificing time and energy to those who face the mortality of age. 

 The Father loved us so completely that He gave His only Son so that we may not perish but have everlasting life.  The greatest gift we can give each other is to share in this love.