Romans 8:14-17
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:14-17 (NRSVUE)
Dr. Suess books are among my favorites. The Sneetches is a simple story with great meaning. There are 2 kinds of Sneetches on the beach – those with stars upon their bellies & those with plain bellies. The star bellied Sneetches don’t accept the plain bellied Sneetches. Soon the plain bellied Sneetches start adding stars on their bellies so they can fit in. Then the star bellied Sneetches have their stars removed. One line in the book says, “Until neither the plain nor the star bellies knew whether this one was that one - or that one was this one - or which one was what one - or what one was who.” Ultimately the Sneetches learn that neither the plain nor the star bellied Sneetches are superior & they are all able to get along & become friends.
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt less than or as if you didn’t fit in? Perhaps you have memories of being the new kid in a new school, or of being a fan of the green team in a group cheering for the purple team. In today’s scripture, it says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” ALL. And then, “…if children, then heirs; heirs of God…”. We are ALL part of God’s family – even when we feel like we don’t fit in – even when we are on different teams – even if we look different or think different. God loves us all, accepts us all, forgives us all, welcomes us all into His family. Glory be to God!
Questions for Reflection:
- How have others welcomed you in the past? How might you welcome others into a group you belong to?
Prayer:
Abba! Father! Thank you for welcoming us into your family as your children and heirs. Help us to live as brothers and sisters of Christ together as one family in your name. Amen.
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