TWO OF "OUR OWN"

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us,

and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

~1 John 3:16

As you may have heard, my family is getting acquainted with a whole new “normal.” Last Monday, April 30^th, we received a call from our adoption agency, Generations Adoptions.  To say the least, I don't think I’ve ever had a more life-altering phone call. 

  Our adoption story:

That weekend, Generations became aware that there was a baby boy in the NICU in need of an adoptive family.  He was born with a condition called gastroschisis (he was born with his intestines externally exposed through a hole in his abdomen).  Early on in the pregnancy,his birth-mother knew that she would be unable to adequately provide for a baby. 

So, she decided to bravely carry him to term in order to place him with an adoptive family more equipped to care for him.  Indeed, she is one of the true heroes of the pro-life movement.  She endured the pain of pregnancy and labor, only to sacrifice her joy for the sake of his.

Because of her bravery, we subsequently received the call from our agency: “There is a baby boy in the NICU that needs a family; please pray about it and consider adopting him.” So, my wife and I began praying: “Jesus, this child is in need, but is this our Asa that we’ve been praying for?”

In 2010, we entered into the adoption process expecting to adopt a black baby, driven by the particular need in that area.  Yet, God’s provision moved us in an unexpected direction: a beautiful baby boy in need of a family to care for him.  He brought us to child in need that is, strangely enough, very white.

A few minutes after praying,we decided to adopt this precious baby boy and thus drove up to Temple, Texas to meet our son—Asa Peter Dusan. Last Friday, we signed the placement papers on the same day that Asa had surgery to close up his little belly. 

Now, he’s doing great, but undergoing the pain-staking process of establishing healthy movement in his digestive system.  So, this “NICU adventure”should last a few more weeks, but it’s hard to be too upset about having a son in the hospital when we’re still overwhelmed and grateful that we have a son in the first place.

  Asa’s “real parents:”

We’ve heard it said that when you adopt a child, you can “love him like your own.” Well, I can confidently assert that this is true because ASA IS OUR OWN.  Love is neither a biological function nor a material reality; love is a demonstration of God’s perfect presence within humanity.

The love that I have for my wife and children cannot be explained by biological necessity, nor by humanistic altruism; it is gift from Jesus.  Not only does Jesus provide us with children, but also he provides us with a special love for our children. “We love because HE FIRST loved us” (1 John 4:19).  If you miss the because,your love will only be lacking.

So, because of God’s great providence, we now have two of “our own” children—one natural; one supernatural—both miracles.

  When I was adopted:

Almost fifteen years ago, I was adopted.  I realize that I run the risk of sounding religiously cliché, but this declaration is worth the risk: Jesus adopted me. 

The current state of humanity must not be over-esteemed.  Although we were created (generated) by God for Glory, we, by our own sin, have degenerated into a fallen state.  We are separated from God, and even hostile toward him.  We aren’t just a little flawed; we’re enemies of God, baring the seed of something grievously less than what he created us for.  We are degenerates, and our only hope is to be regenerated (re-created).

This is the staggering part.  God could have justly allowed us to suffer the eternal consequence of our sin.  But, he chose instead to intervene on our behalf; on behalf of his very enemies! If that isn’t shocking enough, he takes it a step further.  God not only chose to pardon his enemies; he chose to make his enemies his children by re-creating us in the likeness of his son-Jesus.

Mankind has vainly striven in our religious efforts to re-acquire God’s glory, and all of our efforts have amounted to futility.  But, despite our failed efforts to get to God, God got to us. 

The Gospel is the good news that God became man in Jesus Christ; he lived the life we should have lived; he died the death we should have died. Then, Jesus rose from the dead, proving that HE IS GOD, and confirming his jurisdiction to provide salvation to any who would turn and trust in him.  This is why he has the authority to furnish a re-written birth certificate to his former enemies.

Jesus is paid the price to adopt me, thus making me lovable, and giving me the capacity to love.

So, here's the question: have YOU been adopted?