It is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all those descended from Israel are Israelites, and not all of Abraham’s children are his descendants, but “it is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants. For the word of the promise is this: “About this time I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestor Isaac: even before they had been born or had done anything good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue, not by works but by his call) she was told, “The elder shall serve the younger.” As it is written, “I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.” (Romans 9:6-13, NRSVue)
Flesh does not make you family. Some would disagree with me on this, and yet some of you who are reading this devotional are my family. Not by flesh, but by choice. My choice and your choice.
I have a dear friend; my family went to visit him and his spouse a few years ago, and we went to a museum in his hometown. When we entered, he knew the person working at the information desk, and they asked him who we were. He stammered for a minute, and I spoke up and said we are family. Yes, he said, chosen family.
We do not have to be united by flesh to be family.
We do not have to be circumcised or of the right descent to be included in the people of God. We can choose to be a part by believing the promises and knowing that God has also chosen us.
Sometimes chosen family is better than flesh family.
Choose who you will serve. As for me and my house, we will believe in the promises of God and know we are God’s chosen family, and we will live that way.
aSacredRebel 