Five: A New Family
When you trusted in jesus…
Although they may vary in size and structure, we all have something we call family. Many of us have parents or guardians who raised us and helped us become who we are today. Some also have siblings, brothers and sisters who played significant roles in our lives, or friendships so deep they might as well have been family. Family often includes our most important and trusted relationships. When things get tough, they are the people on whom we can always fall back on. Family can also be dysfunctional, filled with arguments, betrayal, grudges and even abuse, yet God created us with and for family, however imperfect. He created parents to nurture, protect and equip us for the world, and siblings to grow up with and depend on as friends and confidants. When you trusted in Jesus, you gained a New Family, with God as your Father and countless brothers and sisters in Christ.
When you received your New Birth, you also received a new Father. You were born again and made new as one of God’s beloved children. You were also brought into His family, made up of all the brothers and sisters—past, present and future—who received the same rebirth that you did. Your Heavenly Father loves you deeply, and unlike your natural father, mother or guardian, He is perfect. He is always loving, always good, always desiring the best for you in every situation. Even though you’ll experience hardships and difficulties, your Heavenly Father is always there—not always to remove them, but to give you the strength to overcome. Although God is many things to us, when we come to Him to talk or pray, He wants us to address Him primarily as Father—as He is a good, good Father indeed.
In addition, you have also received more new siblings than you could meet in a thousand lifetimes. Realize that every time you meet someone who has trusted in Jesus, you have met one of your brothers or sisters. No matter where you go on earth, there will almost always be someone there who’s part of your new family. Just as you can see the resemblance in people’s physical traits when they have the same father, you can often see the deep resemblance in heart and character for those who have been reborn and raised by your shared Heavenly Father. This doesn’t mean there won’t be sibling quarrels or mistreatment, as we are not perfect like our Father, but hopefully we live with His heart of forgiveness and pursuit of mending broken relationships. Welcome to this big, beautiful and endlessly diverse spiritual family!