An Eternal Prize...

"All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step..." 1 Corinthians 9:25-26

Not prize money, or a medal, or a title. Not a promotion, a bigger house, or more money in the bank.

"So God created mankind in his own image..." Genesis 1:27

But for a life...created in the image of God, and yet deserted as imperfect in the eyes of this world. 

"With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him?" Isaiah 40:18

In 13 days, I'll be able to tell you, and post pictures of, the image of God I see - not only in my daughter's face, but in the faces of many fatherless children, abandoned due to worldly imperfection.

"For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Hebrews 10:14

And so, little did their parents know, they are absolutely perfect in the eyes of God!

"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ... There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear... We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4: 16, 18, 19

He loves us and thus led us to her. We love her. We are not afraid because she is not worldly perfect.

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  James 1:27

We've heard from the world (family & friends) many reasons why they believe this might not be the right thing for us. 

"Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name." Deuteronomy 6:13

We do not fear what the world tells us to fear. Our fear instead is in not following his lead to her. 

"And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling. I am glad I can have complete confidence in you." 2 Corinthians 7:16

His affection. Oh, how we long for that day when we are wrapped in his affection because we have been obedient. We have complete confidence in him...and so we don't have to fear, but follow.

"All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 28:2

She is not a burden, she is a blessing...and I can't imagine all the blessings we would be missing out on if we did not obey.

"All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step..." 1 Corinthians 9:25-26

And so we will continue in our training as Christ-followers. We will not aim for the prizes of this world. We will aim for the prizes of Heaven with purpose in every step, of every day. We are bountifully blessed. 

Next up - looking into our daughter's eyes, holding her on our lap, listening to her laugh, telling her we have chosen her as God has chosen us.