Are you adopted? How does that illustrate what God has done for us?   For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by who we cry "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:15   Notice the contrasts again. Fear and death and slavery are all associated with the flesh in these passages. But we don't need to be subject to those things anymore. We have been adopted.   We don't often get to choose our family. But imagine the joy of being chosen. After being alone, isolated, and unwanted, all the sudden someone wants you. They appreciate you. They want to help launch you and see you shine.   We're all adopted by God if we follow him. We get to call him Dad. I always wanted a boss that would be OK if I screwed up trying to do the right thing. I could be wrong, but I bet your best friends are like you. We like people who like us. God not only loves you, he likes you. He chose you. And he has a job for you. You won't get fired from it. You may get reassigned, but you won't get taken out of the game. God can use you any time or place.   Why not ask him to give you an assignment today? He has a job for you, but it's not as painful as you might think. In fact, when we do what he wants we experience his joy. Why not be a blessing to someone today and watch God bless you both? What we do because we follow Jesus matters. You've been adopted. Go for it.   Also, if these podcasts or our online community are a blessing to you, please consider making a gift to Follower of One. We're supported totally by people who benefit from our community and our podcasts and who want to give others the opportunity to experience life following Jesus. We call that living on-mission. If you're up to sharing a gift, please head over to www.FollowerOfOne.org and click the donate button in the upper right hand corner or under the menu on mobile devices. Thanks in advance..