Short and sweet thought for the week…
Easter and other holiday celebrations sometimes include family gatherings. For some this is a time of enjoyment, for others an act of endurance. Some feel the greatest gift of all is to have a large family…that lives in a different city. Today’s family dynamics are far from what most would consider ideal. Stressed single parents, quarreling spouses, addictive behaviors, and domineering personalities seem more the norm than the exception.
Yet, God chooses family analogies to strengthen our understanding of relationships with the Father, Son, and Spirit who all work together in peaceful unity for the benefit of others. We are even invited to participate in this relationship so we can experience the blessings of harmonious living.
When we are converted, we are welcomed into the family of God (Ephesians 2:19). God is referred to as our Father (Isaiah 64:8). He calls us His children (1 John 3:1). Jesus is our older brother (Hebrew 2:10). As God’s children, we are His heirs (Romans 8:17).
Mother Teresa once said, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” This can be a difficult task when family relationships are messy. Many times, we feel totally inadequate to cope or even contribute anything helpful to the family we love.
We tend to forget that family is not always about our comfort, pleasure, or perfection. Sometimes it’s about modeling the gospel of Christ to those we love. Perhaps we should strive to do that because we have the advantage of already being grafted into the household of God.
“You are fellow citizens with the saints and members
of the household of God.” ~Ephesians 2:19
