Friday, October 31, 2008

Citizenship

Several months ago, Luke and I sat in a dingy federal government office, in a part of the city that we have never been before, waiting to be fingerprinted. We were in line with many other people in who were in various stages if the immigration process. We waited alongside them, documents in hand. In that room on that day, there were many different nationalities represented. We were clearly in the minority, and for good reason- we were already US citizens. We were proving who we were and going through the process, although our citizenship in this country was already secure. You see, we were there on behalf of someone else. We were there for our child.

We were there taking steps to secure citizenship for our precious son waiting on another continent, who had yet to even hear about us. We left our comfortable suburb to go to a place where we would not have normally gone, where I (admittedly) felt a little out of place, where I had to allow myself to be fingerprinted, have my background checked and my documents scrutinized as if I were the one becoming a citizen. I did all of that willingly, and would do it again, motivated by my love for my child. I stood there on that day so that he will never have to. I remember thinking, "I'm doing this for you, Minte." Oh, how my heart swelled with love for him at the thought!

Today, Minte stood before a judge and was declared a citizen of the United States of America. He never had to stand in line at the immigration office... that was done for him. He never has to doubt his citizenship here... that has been secured for him. He will now have all the rights and privileges that belong to a US citizen, a standing that is sought-after by so many.

What a picture of the gospel! Jesus' citizenship, His rightful place, is in Heaven. His position and citizenship there is established, but mine wasn't. In fact, I had no place there, no way to even enter. He left His rightful position for a time and came here, where He was "out of place." He didn't have to, but He did it on my behalf, to secure my citizenship in Heaven, that where He is I may also be. He did this before I even knew Him, while I was yet a sinner. He went where I will never have to go, so that I can someday live in a place better than I could ever imagine. Because of Jesus, my eternal citizenship is secure.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved."
Eph. 1:3-6

"
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
Romans 8:15

10 comments:

Darren said...

Congratulations Minte!

Jill said...

Cyndi, You have no idea how this blessed me today.

This has been a very difficult week at our house. Dear friends who adopted two beautiful children from Ethiopia 6 months ago are on the verge of disrupting the adoption. My heart so breaks for these children. We have had them in our home this week and loved on them as much as possible. I have so many times thought of you and wished I could pick up the phone and ask you to pray for these sweet little treasures that have never in their little lives felt wanted. Please join me in praying for Hannah, Azariah and their family.

Susan said...

Good word, Cyndi. Your story is amazing and I can't wait to see how God uses Minte in the future! He is already blessing so many with his winning smile and huge heart.

Jill said...

Surreal that this is the end (kinda) of your "official" adoption journey. Now let the real livin' begin!

Mary DeMuth said...

Beautiful story, beautifully written.

Linda said...

Congratulations and many, many blessings to all of you. Citizenship is a very precious thing as you've so beautifully said Cyndi.

Chris @ Come to the Table said...

Beautiful!

Susanne said...

Congratulations to Minte and your family!

This was beautiful, Cyndi!

Lisa said...

So glad to be a child of the King! I felt His love for me again as you explain the things you've done for your child. Beautiful!

Emily said...

LOVE it! I always love your blog when I have time to catch up. Always so convicting and encouraging. Sure love you!!