Amazingly Adopted

Reading through Ephesians this week, and came across this powerful idea in chapter 1: He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us (1:5-8 NRSV).  The idea of being adopted by God blows my mind.  I suppose a lot of were born to parents that decided that they'd like to have a baby, others maybe it was not as planned.  But, God destined us for adoption.  He chose us to be his children.  Invited us into to be part of his family.  Not because of anything we did or didn't do.  Not because we were good kids.  We were broken, and totally in need of a Savior.  Yet he chooses us, lavishes his grace on us, redeems us through his blood, and calls us His children.  I'm reminded of waiting in a line in gym class waiting to be picked by one of the captains for the team.  You all know the drill.  You know you don't want to be chosen last.  It's a horrible feeling to feel like no one wants to choose us.  This, to me, is the amazing thing about God.  He comes to the sidelines, comes to the margins, chooses the weakest first, no one is left out that wants to play.  He has chosen us.  Amazing!