John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

This first chapter of John is so loaded with deeply meaningful, glorious passages that it is difficult to choose what to write on. Out of it all, though, I probably quote this verse most frequently, so here goes. Everyone has the innate need to be family, to belong, to love and be loved. Some people are blessed with an abundance of that “in the natural,” so to speak, but many are not. God, however, has a plan that more than compensates for any deficiencies in that area: when we believe in His Son, we become His children, members of His family and thus brothers and sisters to one another. The highest privilege is being able to call the Creator of the universe Daddy, but along with that comes the reality that He’s got a lot of kids like us, and they are our brothers and sisters. Occasionally that’s irritating, because no two people get along perfectly, even if they are genetic twins. However, most of the time it’s enormously comforting and encouraging, because it meets that need of belonging. Physically only children sometimes have trouble grasping that, because they don’t grow up with the frictions and connections of siblings, but God can teach them if they will open their hearts. Sibling rivalries can be an issue, even among the children of God. However, spiritual and emotional growth brings us to the place of rejoicing in our siblings’ successes, encouraging and supporting one another. The better we realize that we ourselves are hopeless without Christ, the more we rejoice to be part of God’s provision for those around us.

Physically speaking I have one brother and two sisters, but spiritually speaking it would be impossible to count them all, even the ones with whom I have specific connections. Being an introvert, (which some people have difficulty believing) part of me feels I would be happy with just my wife for companionship. However, 54 years of marriage to a woman who never met a stranger has taught me a lot about interpersonal relationships! I have learned to rejoice not only in being a child of God myself, but in drawing others into His family as well, and everything involved in family fellowship. My genetic family is far away geographically, but I interact with my spiritual family daily, and it is a blessing. Today I expect to be talking with a young man whom I was involved with when he was still a child, but I haven’t seen him in several years. He currently lives in another part of Japan but will be back for a visit, and I heard through his mother that he wants me to baptize him. I of course need to confirm his repentance and faith, but I rejoice in the birth of another little brother. God’s family keeps growing!

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me be an effective brother to my many spiritual siblings, guiding and encouraging them as You direct, so that we may all be the children You desire, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!