Seasonal get-togethers where long-distance family members come together, face-to-face, to connect.
Greetings are given. Hugs are received. And people who may not have seen each other in years, start up right where they left off.
Why?
Because they are family. Because they are bonded. Because they belong.
As I sat this week, spending time with long-distance family on my husband's side, talking, smiling, laughing, enjoying time and conversation with in-laws, listening to stories of grandparents and great grandparents, the Lord reminded me of something:
This earthly family is a picture of my heavenly one!
I wasn't born into this earthly family, yet their heritage is mine, as is their godly inheritance.
Why?
Because when the invitation was extended, when my now-husband asked, "Will you marry me?" I said, "Yes."
I simply said "yes" to the invitation to join the family. And because of that, everything that belongs to them, now belongs to me. All the stories. All the history. All the heritage.
And our heavenly family is the same!
When we say "yes" to God's invitation to join
His family, all the Godly heritage, all the Godly inheritance transfers to
us! Can you imagine!
We can't earn it. We can't work for it or strive for it or do anything to deserve it. It's simply given.
When we say "yes", when we say, "I do" to Jesus, everything that is and was
His, becomes
ours!
He did the work.
He paid the price. And
He extended the invitation.
All we have to do is say yes!
When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Because of His grace He made us right in His sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:4-7 NLT
But when [in God's plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law, so that He might redeem and liberate those who were under the Law, that we [who believe] might be adopted as sons [as God's children with all rights as fully grown members of a family]. And because you [really] are [His] sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave (bond-servant), but a son; and if a son, then also an heir through [the gracious act of] God [through Christ]. Galatians 4:4-7 AMP
