I have been given a unique opportunity to be both adopted - three times, actually! - while also remaining simultaneously within my biological family. What do I mean, you ask? How is that even possible?
I'm talking about homestays. Someone who has never experienced a homestay before might think that it is little more than a glorified hotel, in which the stranger lives in the home of another family, but does not do much more than that - their lives are still largely separate, and they do not interact much beyond the normal niceties required when living together.
And it's true that in some houses, that is exactly what a homestay is. But that's not a real homestay. In a real homestay, you are, in almost every sense of the word, adopted. You eat with them, you talk with them. They take you to experience events in their world, you do the same with them. You hear their squabbles, you feel their sorrow, and you share in their joy. They call you their daughter or son or sibling; you call them your parents or sister or brother. When you leave, you stay in touch through whatever means you can, so strong has the bond between you become.
Homestays offer a unique perspective on our relationship with the Lord. We are called sons and daughters of the living God - we have been adopted into His family, with all the rights and privileges associated with that. You are not a passing guest. You are family. Family sticks together through thick and thin, even when it's difficult - even when they don't want to. How are you treating God? Are you acting like His child...or simply a distant house guest?
I'm talking about homestays. Someone who has never experienced a homestay before might think that it is little more than a glorified hotel, in which the stranger lives in the home of another family, but does not do much more than that - their lives are still largely separate, and they do not interact much beyond the normal niceties required when living together.
And it's true that in some houses, that is exactly what a homestay is. But that's not a real homestay. In a real homestay, you are, in almost every sense of the word, adopted. You eat with them, you talk with them. They take you to experience events in their world, you do the same with them. You hear their squabbles, you feel their sorrow, and you share in their joy. They call you their daughter or son or sibling; you call them your parents or sister or brother. When you leave, you stay in touch through whatever means you can, so strong has the bond between you become.
Homestays offer a unique perspective on our relationship with the Lord. We are called sons and daughters of the living God - we have been adopted into His family, with all the rights and privileges associated with that. You are not a passing guest. You are family. Family sticks together through thick and thin, even when it's difficult - even when they don't want to. How are you treating God? Are you acting like His child...or simply a distant house guest?
Galatians 4:1-7
1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. 
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