For those who are unaware, November is National Adoption Awareness Month. Although my wife and I have not adopted, we have many friends and some relatives who have and have gleaned much from them. I also want to recognize those who have fostered children.

First, I am not advocating that everyone adopt. There are some who barely seem to take care of their biological children. That being said, after working at a counseling center for about a decade, I saw how many people are needed to be part of the adoption process, even living in a first world country.

Let’s look at some basic scripture which talks about how adoption is at the heart of God. Deuteronomy 10:17 says, “He executes justice for the fatherless.” Psalm 82:3 says that God “defends the fatherless.” And in Psalm 68:5-6 it says that God is “A father to the fatherless,” and that “God sets the lonely in families.”

I want to switch trails for a second, but there is a purpose to it. I want to remind you  of cross-centered theology. Cross centered theology says that everything God calls us to be and do Jesus specifically gave us through the cross. If you are unaware of this theology, you can read more about it here .

Adoption is at the heart of God, because that is what Jesus did for us through the cross. Ephesians 1:1-10, and specifically verse 5 talks about this. It actually uses the word adopt when it talks about God purchasing His children for salvation through the cross. Verse 5 says, “He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will.”

Through the cross of Jesus Christ, we were adopted to God. It is the best adoption agency in the world. Being adopted to be a child of God secures not just a home in Heaven, and not being damned to Hell, but gives us eternal life spent with Jesus Himself.

When I witness  a Christian adoption, I think this person is following after the heart of God. They are doing for someone what God did for them. They are adopting someone in a human manner, that was adopted themselves in a spiritual manner.

How can you get involved in helping those who need adoption? Maybe God is calling you to adopt or foster. Maybe you can assist someone who has adopted or is looking to adopt. Adoption is very expensive. Those who foster and adopt need extra support at times than those parenting  their own biological children. Perhaps you can help babysit so that the parents of that child can go spend time with each other.

You can always pray for the families who have chosen this path. You can give verbal encouragement and praise. Just giving acknowledgment of their work of God and encouraging them through words may be what helps them as they raise someone who they have made their own. You can also pray for the many children waiting for new homes in your area. How else do you believe you can help this area of ministry?

Thanks for taking time to read this Maddening Theology post. If you enjoyed this content you can find Pastor Tim’s sermons at www.cornerstoneforestcity.org. You can also join us at 520 Marion St. Browndale, PA 18421 on Sundays at 10:45 AM. To make following the blog easier you can also register. You can also join us on Facebook at Cornerstone Forest City. Also, don’t forget to download our APP on iTunes  or Googleplay.