This world is crying out, broken and unsure. Hidden behind perfectly applied makeup, inside well shined cars. We think of orphans and our hearts wander to the far corners of the earth. But what if there is more to this phenomena? What if orphans are not always far off and starving for food with flies surrounding them in their broken states of living? What if the orphan is in front of us. What if the orphan is looking back in the mirror. The orphan hearted are looking for a heart that is wide open. They, we, are longing for more than the affection of a father or a mother... We are longing for the living breathing closer than close bond of brothers and sisters. Our generation is in an identity crisis. Who are we? Are we defined by how good at a sport, how well on a test, or how personable to others, we are and have been? Who are we? We are sons and daughters. We are loved by God, truly and deeply. We have a Father in heaven who looks down and cries when we cry, He even laughs when we laugh. And yet, if He is a Father of so many, then how has loneliness come to plague His children? We are called to care for one another we belong to each other and the Bible speaks again and again of this very truth. From the people of Isreal journeying together, to Jesus and His disciples' constant communion, unto the church of the New Testament and even now, today. Countless examples and analogies of this family - this body with many parts all needing eachother. If we belong to eachother, perhaps we can care for each other. The world is longing for brothers and sisters who will come alongside. We are broken and in need of the humble care that comes from one who says - brother, sister, I am here. In the midst of an identity crisis, we are called to stand in the truth of who we are. If we cannot acknowledge that we are called to be sons and daughters of the living God, how can we come into the full reality of being brothers and sisters to His children? We must stand strong in who we are - ask God for a heart change - to know with all our hearts that we are no longer orphans. We are adopted by a Father who will never leave us nor forsake us. And those are the kinds of brothers and sisters that the world is crying out for, orphans looking and hoping for a family to call their own. We hold a key in that God has welcomed is in by His grace. Jesus is that key. We are no longer held captive, we are given over into a family brimming with love. If we can get this, if we can really get this, then perhaps we can love eachother right. And if we can love eachother right, then perhaps we can be the family God has ultimately called us to be. Brothers and sisters, calling the orphans into our family and back to our Father. Healing happens in community - if we can only open out hands, our hearts, and maybe even our homes. We are not called to go it alone, we are called to revel in the glory and joy of being loved by a good family. God has called us into His family. Being adopted as His children means new siblings and new ways of doing things. We do not walk alone. We are called, we are loved, we are His, and we are eachothers. Being independent I can find this a struggle, but why can't we give it a try? Ask someone to talk, invite someone over for dinner, begin hosting a small group, create safe places where those who are looking for a family can come and find and know that they are loved beyond anything they can ever do or offer. Bask in His love, grasp the identity found in His love, embrace a crazy and divine family, be loved by God and by His kids. Accept His unfading love and the paradoxical love of His family given to us... And out of a full heart, begin loving as you have been loved - unfadingly and paradoxically.
