Pure and genuine religion is this.
If the Lord wills, this fall we will be the parents and caregivers of eight children, 6 biological and 2 adopted.
We have heard all the criticism masked as concern. Ok well, maybe not everyone has had the guts to speak their “concern” but here’s a few I’ve heard already.
- What if you run out of money?
- What if the kids don’t get a long?
- Can you handle it?
- What if it all falls apart?
- What if there are problems with their biological family?
- It’s a big job.
- That’s a lot of kids.
- Is that too much responsibility?
- How will you feed them and clothe them?
Well, I came across this line from the Christian Alliance For Orphans, who hosted an adoption summit in Nashville over the weekend.
“Taking on the characteristics of the Father to the fatherless…You’re not crazy and don’t back down…Uniting under the gospel to demonstrate the gospel.”
When I read those lines up there, those “concerns” are dirt. I am eternally motivated to take on the characteristics of my Father to the fatherless. I am roused to demonstrate the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ that saved me. I get to do that for the rest of my life to two children. Maybe it IS crazy but I want to do something the world thinks is crazy. And I want to do it in the name of Jesus, to show his power to perfectly orchestrate and design my life.
And I wonder if the contemporaries of my heroes of faith thought they were crazy too.
Was it crazy for Moses to challenge the King of Egypt? Was it crazy for young David to challenge Goliath? Was it crazy for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to challenge the authority of a blood-thirsty King? Was it crazy for Mary to challenge the customs of her people and agree to open her womb to Immanuel?
Is it crazy for me to balk at my materialistic, selfish culture and raise 8 kids? I hope so.
When I look into they eyes of my two children who have lost their parents, their home, their life, honestly, money doesn’t matter. What are their lives in comparison to money? If we have to go with less, we will. If we have to sell our stuff, we will. If there are problems, we will deal with them. And if it all falls apart, we will watch God rebuild it.
At the end of all my fears I find faith. Faith in the promises and truth of my Father. All those concerns melt when matched up to the truth of God. The Book is filled with truth that cannot be undone, even in the face of fear and concern.
- It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)
- Defend the orphan. (Psalm 10:14)
- Blessed are the merciful. (Mt. 5:7)
- Do to others what you would like them to do to you. (Mt. 7:12)
- Don’t worry about clothes and food. (Mt. 6:25-36)
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans… in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27
Today I choose pure and genuine religion. Today I choose to care for children in their distress. Today I refuse to let the world and its earthly thinking corrupt me. So if you are a naysayer, please… SHHH!
