Oasis Light    |    綠洲亮光

In the United States, it is common to see white parents with children of Asian or African descent. It is clear these children are not biological, but adopted. What is more striking is the transparency of their stories; these children often grow up knowing exactly why they were adopted, where they came from, and the journey that brought them home.

Some of these children are healthy; others carry varying degrees of physical or emotional challenges. I once knew a young Christian couple from Wheaton College who adopted a little girl from an orphanage in China. She was about two years old at the time, born with a cleft lip and struggling with emotional detachment.

To many, such a choice seems to defy conventional logic. I once asked them why they didn’t choose to adopt a healthier child. Their answer was simple:

"Because she needed a home more."

They saw not a child with "unfavorable conditions," but a life longing to be loved, healed, and accepted. They were willing to embrace her imperfections and invest the time and love required to build a genuine bond. In that home, the little girl slowly grew, learning to trust and, eventually, learning to be loved.

Cultural Collision: Is Adoption a "Plan B"?

In contrast, some cultures, adoption is often a topic shrouded in secrecy. Parents fear that if a child knows their origins, a distance will grow between them. The child, in turn, may grow up with a lingering sense that they do not "fully belong" because they lack a biological connection.

In a culture where blood ties are paramount, adoption is frequently viewed as a last resort—a "Plan B" born of necessity. This creates a subtle atmosphere of suspicion and insecurity; the relationship becomes fragile and strained rather than a place of rest.

Reflecting on these differences, I realized this isn't just a matter of social norms. It touches a deeper human longing for belonging and acceptance. Every soul searches for a place where they can simply exist—a relationship where they don’t have to constantly prove their worth. Yet, different cultural and life experiences shape our understanding of what it means to be "accepted."

In certain cultural contexts, even when a person is "accepted," they may still carry a deep-seated "hired hand mindset." They respond to love through tireless effort and gratitude, yet they remain uncertain if they truly belong in the family. This insecurity inevitably colors their possible relationship with God.

The Roots of Faith: Adoption as a Spiritual Image

Our imagination of love and acceptance is profoundly shaped by our cultural upbringing. When these internal structures are brought into our faith, our understanding of God is often filtered through these same expectations.

In cultures influenced by biblical faith, "adoption" is a foundational spiritual image. The Bible uses the concept of being "adopted as children" to describe the reconciliation between humanity and God.

According to biblical revelation, humans are born alienated from God, separated by self-centeredness and sin. Yet, God took the initiative to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring people into His family and grant them the "spirit of sonship." As Galatians 4:4–7 states:

"But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son... to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."

This is more than emotional comfort; it is a fundamental shift in identity. People are accepted by God not because they are "good enough," but because of His proactive love and mercy. To move from being an outsider to a family member—from having no claim to being a true heir—is a relationship built not on performance, but on Grace.

This is perhaps why some Christians view adoption through the lens of grace so naturally. They are willing to embrace lives marked by scars because they recognize that they, too, were unconditionally accepted by God.

Conclusion: From a Slave’s Mindset to an Heir’s Identity

Even when one understands this truth intellectually, a lingering insecurity often remains: "If I am not good enough, will God still accept me?"

This anxiety over "performance" often causes people to relate to God as slaves—anxiously seeking approval, unable to truly rest in His love. But Jesus reminds us: 

"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:11)

The core of faith is not the improvement of behavior, but a transformation of identity. When a person truly believes they are a child accepted by God, their relationship with Him is no longer built on fear or exchange; it matures into love and trust.

The shift from "Lineage" to "Grace" is more than a cultural difference; it is a renewal of how life itself is seen. When one began to believe that he can be loved unconditionally, the strength and hope buried deep within his souls finally begin to awaken.