Blog post September 11, 2026

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "ABBA! Father!" Romans 8:15

My wife and I did foster care for many years and numerous children. We saw firsthand the spirit of slavery and fear. Children would come into our home and leave their clothes packed rather than put them in a dresser, and sleep on top of the covers of bed rather than snuggle in. They often lived with the fear of rejection. They felt it was just a matter of time before we would be disappointed enough in them that they would be shipped off to the next home. Putting your clothes in a dresser and sleeping under the covers to them meant you were a permanent child not a "foster" Child. They felt tolerated. Temporarily included. Like one bad week and they would risk being sent away.

God wants us to know that we have not received the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but we have received the Spirit of adoption as sons. God's Spirit doesn't pull us back into fear. Fear that will be rejected. Fear that will be replaced. Fear that one failure will undo everything. That's slavery.

Resurrection life does not drag us back into chains. It brings us into adoption. Permanence in God's family. Not hired. Not evaluated. Not barely kept. Chosen!

Children don't audition for family. They cry. And family scoops them up. When Paul says we cry out to God as father, he isn't describing performance. He's describing instinct. The reflex of someone who knows they belong. We do not approach God like an employee hoping for approval. We come as a child who already has it.

Thank You Heavenly Father for this word today. Oh how often we live like we are in the family on a trial basis. We let fear shape our faith. May we instead cry out "Abba" Father and be scooped up into Your arms and held. Simply held. I pray today for those who just need held. That they would cry out to You. May we live with the confidence of adoption. Full rights of being Your child. Not temporary or on a trial basis. May we unpack and fully rest in Your care. I pray in Jesus name. AMEN AMEN