Adoption Brings About Expectation
“As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?” Hebrews 12:7
There is a defining heart to heart moment in the romantic comedy Two Weeks Notice. Lucy Kelson (Sandra Bullock), a liberal lawyer, and George Wade (Hugh Grant), an immature billionaire, are standing atop an apartment building overlooking New York City. Lucy shares that when she
was growing up, she would sit on the roof pondering whatever argument she just had with her mother, knowing she could never live up to her mom’s expectations. When George replies. “Well, there are worse things in life. Like no one having any expectations.”
What if we grew up without anyone believing in us? What if there was no one to help us become the women we are intended to be? What if no one saw our potential and brought it to fruition?
“As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father” (Heb. 12:7)?
God is our Father and not just a friend. He has dreams for us, a vision for our lives that will require Christ-like character. As a child of God, we too undergo instruction, or discipline to bring about the character needed in our lives. Being a daughter of God means he loves us too much to leave us where we are.
He constructs our character through our convictions and our circumstances.
First, the Holy Spirit places convictions in our lives to reveal where our lives or motivations are out of alignment with God’s. Have you ever seen a cartoon when there is an angel on one shoulder and a demon on the other? Each is trying to influence the person in a different direction.
The Holy Spirit serves to nudge us in a God-ward direction. If it is shame or condemnation we feel, it is not the Holy Spirit, but rather Satan trying to drown us in lies. But with the Spirit’s conviction, we can repent, be forgiven and turn back in alignment with God our Father.
Second, God uses our circumstances or trials to forge our character. Circumstances require our cooperation. “But we should endure hardship as discipline, and regard it as an evidence of son-ship [daughter-ship]” (Walvoord, John F. & Zuck, Roy B. The Bible Knowledge Commentary). As we walk through difficulty or pain, we have the opportunity to experience God’s truth, love, and power more profoundly. In life’s trials, we have a greater need to depend on God and this can lead us to him if we choose. Circumstances, if we let them, can engrave on our hearts, a trust in our Father and confidence in his Word.
If we can trust God’s heart and have confidence in his plan. If we can experience his protection and see his provision. If we can dream his dreams and catch hold of his greater vision for us. It will help us rewrite our perspective on his instruction.
Father, like clay in your hands, help us be pliable. Let our spirits be attuned to your conviction and quick to repent. In trials, help us experience your presence and know your peace in our hearts. May we resist the urge to be like a tantrumming 2 year old or a rebellious teenager, trusting that you our Father, knows best. Love, Your Daughters
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