Are we not all foster children?

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12

I thought of this verse this morning. As we continue in this journey of foster care, I think about how some choose to take this journey, and some well…don’t. Mind you, not everyone should be foster parents. But I wonder how many could, but don’t for various reasons.

We think of a foster child as being a child who has been taken from their biological parents because of a tragic situation, whatever that may be.

But the verse above should remind us of something.

We are all foster children in a sense.

As children of God, we should realize we were not always so. We became children of God again after a separation from Him. The separation was not our fault directly. And yes it was a tragic event. The fall of man separated us from God, and being a loving God, the loving Father of us all, He gave us a way to reconnect with Him through the blood of Jesus Christ.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

So in a sense, we were separated and taken in by the world, only to be re-connected with our true Father, through our Savior.

And now, just as we were saved, we are asked to save others.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mat 28:19-20

How we choose to follow what Jesus commanded may be different. By no means is foster care the only way to serve. But I wonder how many of us have had our hearts touched by God though an opportunity to help a child in our community and allowed this fallen world to draw us away?

Is Jesus knocking on your heart now? Is there an empty room in your house?