First Borns

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up to us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8: 29-32

Following Becki in life who was firstborn was tough as a little girl because she was such a responsible and admirable role model. She was loved by all of her teachers and respected by many. Whenever I would get a former teacher they were very excited at first only to realize that I was not like Becki and came with my own personality. I didn’t hear just once ‘Boy you are not like your sister!’ That statement usually came with a frustration from the teachers. Those firstborns can be tough to live up to but are blessings to follow.

Christ is our firstborn in our spiritual family and gives us the perfect example in which to live our lives. God called Him and predestined Him to show us the likeness that we are to take on so the Father can be recognized and glorified. I cannot remember a time over the course of my life when I wasn’t thinking to the future about being a mom or experiencing motherhood. It was the passionate seedling that had always been at the base of my heart. Each child Bruce and I had predetermined to include in our family was foreknown and predestined for us from our Father. Christ is the first among our spiritual family taking on the likeness of the original Father. He is our oldest sibling and our greatest role model.

God not only gave us Christ as first born in our family but for a while gave Him up to earth for the benefit of the rest of the family. What greater gift can He give us than what has already been given? It is done! He has given us His all and we have taken it so what do we give back to Him?

We give back our lives in hopes of hearing the words of our peers – ‘You are just like your older brother!”