Thousands of churches today all over the United States–around the world–recognized Orphan Sunday, a day set apart to direct people to God’s heart for the millions of orphans and vulnerable children around the world. I welcomed our church family this morning. I introduced Orphan Sunday. And, I introduced the first song we sang together. It’s not about orphans or adoption really. But, there are words that always make me pause when we sing it together.
We could never get back home with broken hearts, so home has come to meet us where we are.
I can’t sing them without being reminded of our daughter who was literally waiting with a broken heart in a room full of cribs with other children like her. She didn’t know us. And, there really wasn’t anything she could do herself to become part of a family though it was the best place for her. But, we came for her. We came and met her where she was and brought her home.
That’s the gospel. I know full well and am reminded daily that I am no savior; no adoptive parent is. Yet, I know that earthly adoption is the closest model on this side of heaven of the gospel. It just is.
There is nothing we can do to get to Him on our own, but He came and keeps coming to meet us where we are. And, when He meets us, He makes us His own.
That’s our savior–defender of the weak, father to the fatherless, toucher of the untouchables, Creator God yet Abba Father. That’s our savior.
Today is one day of the year for churches all over to highlight the needs of orphans. But, His heart beats for every single orphan, every widow, every young single mother trying to provide for her child every. single. minute. of every. single. day. That’s our savior.