Daily Devotional

A Large Family

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NASB)

What do you call three brothers, three sisters, one half-sister and one half-brother—all with the same father? A brood? Blood relatives? The Cecy family! Here are some of my personal observations of growing up in a large family:

• No one invited our entire family to dinner. No surprise. Who could afford to feed all of us? 
• Our mother rattled off our names from oldest to youngest, especially when she was frustrated. “Diane, Brian, David…and…well…all of you.” 
• We always had someone to play with. Even if they cheated. “No fair!” 
• We didn’t choose to be in this family. “Sometimes I wish I wasn’t your brother but I am.” 
• Our mother exercised military justice, swatting the nearest kid. “One of you did it…” • Our siblings fought for each other, not just with each other. “Don’t mess with mine.” 
• Our dinner table was loud and still is when we get together. “Hey, who ate all the meat?” 
• We always had someone nearby to blame. “It was his/her fault.” 
• We knew it was time to come home when the streetlights were on. (Boy, you didn’t want to miss that rule!) 
• No one got away with mistreating any member of the family. “That’s my family!” 
• We created a mess but got a lot more cleaning done when we worked together—which was rare. 
• We were better off together than apart but we were separated by miles. “Ontario to California isn’t far when we stay in touch.”  
• We kept warm at night snuggling with our siblings. “Hey, get your foot out of my face.” 
• We looked like each other so our complements were self-affirming. “You’re so cute, just like me.” 
• We wore each other’s clothes without permission. “Those are my boots.” 
• “Trick or treating” brought in a lot of candy. I mean, a small truckload! 
• We fought over everything and anything—just for the sake of arguing. 
• Food fights! Peas really do stick to the ceiling…and to skin. 
• We end every conversation with the words, “I love you” and a kiss. After all, we are Italian; we hug and kiss everyone. “If it moves, we kiss it; if it doesn’t, we paint it green.”

Such was a small glimpse of my life in the early years. Now, let me ask another question: What do you call millions of spiritual brothers and sisters—all with the same Heavenly Father? The Body of Christ. The Family of God. Here are some of my personal observations of being a part of the family of God:              

• We entered God’s family by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (John 1:12). 
• We didn’t choose to be in this family but He chose us (John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Colossians 3:12). 
• We were all adopted into His forever family (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5). 
• We pray to the same Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:12).
• We are a part of a forever family (John 1:12; 3:16). 
• We can resist those who oppose us when we are together (Ecclesiastes 4:12; Luke 21:15). 
• We are brothers and sisters in Christ (Luke 8:21; 22:32). 
• We have common ancestors, like Abraham, our father (Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:7, 29;  James 2:21). 
• We worship differently but together “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). 
• We are “blood” relatives (i.e., the blood of Christ) (1 Corinthians 10:16). 
• We have unity amidst our diversity (Ephesians 4:4-6). 
• We are equally His beloved children (Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 4:1; Colossians 3:12). 
• We attract people to our family when we love one another (John 13:35; 17:23) 
• We have many generations of spiritual family members in heaven (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16). 
• We look like each other (2 Corinthians 3:18).  
• We are loved by the same Heavenly Father (2 Thessalonians 2:16). 
• We are being perfected in the unity of our faith (John 17:23; Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 3:14 ).  
• We were called to show tolerance and patience for one another (Ephesians 4:1-2; 1 Timothy 1:16). 
• We are better together than apart (Psalm 133:1; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). 
• We are a blessed family invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb of God (Revelation 19:9). 
• We can fight for each other rather than fight with each other (James 4:2).            

Yes, church family, we need to stop the “food fights” over minor doctrinal issues and ministry styles. I love the words of the old chorus, "The Family of God", written by Bill Gaither in 1970. One of the stanzas says it well:                          

From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,             
No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;             
From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,             
I’m not worthy to be here, but PRAISE GOD! I belong! 

Then comes the simple but profound chorus, expressing our thanksgiving:              

I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,             
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!             
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,             
For I’m part of the family,             
The Family of God. 

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Posted in
Tagged with