Sadie is my adopted daughter. She is beautiful, intelligent, and kind. But, before she came to our family, she was abandoned. Though she physically had everything – she had a brain and a heart and a soul – she was alone. She needed a father to engage with her, reach down, pick her up, and bring her into the family. Though Sadie was a functioning human being, she needed a family in order to thrive. It would be tragic if Sadie were to go on living as if she were abandoned. She has been adopted. She no longer is alone. Her needs are met and she is loved.

In a similar way, God has reached down and adopted you. If you believe in Jesus Christ, you are adopted by Him. You are not abandoned. Though you were able to function before you became a member of God’s family, you now can flourish. You can know true life. The Bible says that we have everything we need for life and godliness. If you know Jesus Christ, act like you do! Don’t continue to live as if you’ve been abandoned. God has great things in store for His kids. He wants to give us true life and then open doors for us to tell a hurting world of His love.

Today, don’t just function. Don’t just get through the day. Live as if you’ve been adopted into God’s family. Live with joy, peace and love and tell others the Good News that, because of Jesus Christ, they can be adopted too.

This is Andrew Palau.