Ephesians 1:5-6 [Full Chapter]
[ The God of Glory ] How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
This is a story about a young woman who became pregnant at a very early age from a circumstance out of her control. As the issue of pregnancy was brought out into the open along came with it several thoughts: fear, abortion, uncertainty, turmoil, distress, rejection, abandonment and probably many emotions. How was she going to raise a baby when she herself was still a child? How would she be able to afford it? Would she even know what to do when the baby cried? As the mother went through all of these thought processes, little did she so know so did the infant being created in her womb. Fear, doubt, rejection, unworthiness: all off these contribute to the orphan state of mind.
I am a product of an unwed mother. I was given up for adoption and raised with parents who were not my own. I never knew why I struggled with rejection my entire life until about 6 years ago when I began to go through stages of deliverance. I always felt like the odd man out. Never really fit in. Had thoughts that I was never good enough. My adoptive parents always told me I was adopted and that they always wanted me but it never felt real to me. Instead I thought I was a throw away, my real mom didn’t want me because I was defective for some reason.(having met my real mom, there is no truth to this thought) Rejection had a stronghold on me and it really didn’t want to let go, however through pray and surrender I was able to overcome the rejection status in my life. I became more confident in who I was and began to heal. Overcoming rejection allowed me to write books and get them published. Overcoming rejection allowed me to remarry a man again and lead a successful life. So why am I writing about orphans today?
Because, last night at church someone prayed over me and said, “You are wanted. You are not an orphan. You were meant to be born, abortion was never the answer.” What did that do to my spirit? I cried. The pain was unbearable. I did not even realize I was holding onto this, I thought it went when I overcame rejection. I was perplexed and grieving at the same time. How had the enemy held me in bondage for 45 years?
How many of you struggle with rejection and the feeling of being an orphan? I bet there are many. Well, I am here today to tell you that you are not rejected. You are not an orphan. God has created you for a plan and a purpose and you are not a mistake. He loves you and has accepted you as His own son or daughter. He delights in seeing you everyday. Though the world may be cruel and mean, He longs to protect you from all of that. He invites you into His presence. He is willing to listen. He is waiting for you to surrender the pain of rejection and abandonment so that He can heal you from it.
You don’t have to be adopted to feel rejection and abandonment so this message is for everyone. I encourage you to take a moment right now and let it all go. If you have to cry then cry. If you have to scream then scream. Do what ever it takes to give this ugliness to God. Your freedom is right around the corner.
Step Upon the Golden Road with Me! 