The needs of the world are staggering, especially relating to children. Current estimates show that more than 150 million children worldwide have been orphaned. With such an overwhelming need, Christians have an incredible opportunity and responsibility to respond with the love of Christ.
Thankfully, many families are choosing adoption. But many more are needed. Pastor John Piper called adoption “the visible Gospel” as it portrays a picture to the world of our own adoption into the family of our heavenly Father: “In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:4-5).
But adoption isn’t something to be taken lightly – it is a covenant relationship between parents and children. And while stories of adoption often begin with brokenness – whether it is through the death of a parent, abandonment or inability to properly care for a child – hope still remains.
As Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). In much the same way, we want every child to know the love of a forever family.
People have typically thought of adoption in the context of infertility. A growing number of families, however, are motivated by recognizing the large number of children in need of families and the realization that followers of Christ are God’s plan for children who’ve been orphaned. As Psalm 68:6 tells us, “God sets the lonely in families” (NIV).
