Chosen: The Gift of Spiritual Adoption

There’s a picture I treasure—me walking a young lady named Natalie down the aisle on her wedding day. The twist? I’m not her father. So why was I the one by her side?

It’s because Natalie and I became family—not by blood, but through the redemptive power of love and the spiritual bond that comes from being part of God’s family. After losing both of her parents, Natalie began building a new kind of family—surrounding herself with people who would encourage, support, and walk with her. I was honored to be one of them…she put me on what she called her ‘dad council’ 🥹

That’s the power of spiritual adoption.

Romans 8:14–17 reminds us that we who follow Christ have been adopted by God Himself. We are no longer slaves to fear—we are sons and daughters, co-heirs with Christ. And because of that truth, we get to call the Creator of the universe “Abba, Father.”

What a gift.

But this adoption isn’t only personal—it’s communal. Being a child of God means we’re part of something bigger: a spiritual family. And that reality changes everything - but one that often slips from the forefront of our minds.

Here are three reasons why this matters:

Family shapes identity. From childhood through adulthood, our sense of who we are is formed in community. Being part of a church family helps us root our identity in Christ, shaped by Scripture and nurtured through worship, teaching, and shared life.

Family perseveres together. Life comes with storms, and none of us were meant to face them alone. The spiritual family stands with one another in hardship, offering grace and truth, just as God does with us.

Family means belonging. God’s people are meant to be a place where no one feels forgotten or alone. Just like a lion isolates prey before attacking, the enemy preys on the lonely and disconnected. But the church draws people in, especially in their most vulnerable moments.

So here’s a simple challenge: invite someone into your life. Start somewhere with somebody. It doesn’t have to be huge - but I promise you, God will bless you for inviting others in. Make room for others the way God made room for you. Extend the same grace and belonging that He’s extended to you.

Because in God’s family, there’s always room for more.