You’re My Child First

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭13‬

Sometimes, life’s demands can cloud the truth of your identity as God’s child.

I often focus so much on being a caregiver, leader, or doer that I forget the beautiful reality that I’m first and foremost God’s daughter.

Whether it’s the pressures of ministry or just daily life, I often feel like I have to earn my place or prove my value.

But the Bible is clear—those who follow Him are already His. When you place your faith in Jesus, you’re adopted into God’s family. This isn’t a symbolic or distant relationship; it’s real, intimate, and deeply personal.

God isn’t waiting for you to perform or prove yourself; He invites you to live in the security of being His child.

Have you ever noticed how your closest relationships can shape the way you feel about trust and security?

When someone is consistently loving and responsive, it’s easier to feel safe with them. In psychology and therapy spaces, which I learned from school, this relates to a concept called “attachment theory”. Secure attachment forms when a caregiver is consistently loving and responsive to a young child. But insecure attachments can leave a child feeling anxious, fearful, or reluctant to connect.

While human relationships fall short, God provides the ultimate secure attachment.

He is always present, always loving, and always responsive. But sometimes our limited awareness of Him or our experiences with human caregivers, can leave us feeling insecure and detached from God anyway.

God stands ready and eager to help you approach Him with confidence. He will strengthen your attachment to Him if you let Him. You can know more fully that He welcomes and delights in you.

There’s a verse in Luke 18 that always makes me pause:

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Luke 18:16)

I rarely think about coming to God as a child.

But this invitation isn’t just for others—it’s for you and me. Jesus calls us His children and says, “Let them come.”

If I’m honest, the person who most often hinders me from coming to Jesus is me. Maybe you can relate. But God’s children don’t need to have it all figured out. We don’t need polished prayers or perfectly managed emotions. Instead, we’re invited to come just as we are.

Recently, when overwhelmed by responsibilities, I felt God gently remind me, “You’re My child first.”That simple truth shifted my perspective. It wasn’t about what I needed to do for God or others; it was about resting in who I already am to Him.

As God’s child, you don’t need to perform to be loved.

You are already secure in His care. Take a moment to reflect on this truth: You are God’s child. Whatever is weighing on you today, bring it to Him. Approach Him not as someone trying to earn love, but as His beloved child who already has it.