From Secret Clubs to a Divine Family

Lesson Three • The Promise to Return
Devotion 5: From Secret Clubs to a Divine Family
David Hudgens 

When I was growing up, it was fun to create make-believe, secret clubs. Did you do this, too, when you were a kid? My friends and I once had a club where entry would only be granted if you knew the secret handshake and could, of course, recite the secret pledge. We convinced ourselves that a secret handshake and secret pledge would perhaps give us a feeling of exclusivity, which honestly made it all the more thrilling, even though the secret activity of the club was hardly profound. Mostly, it was just fun to believe that belonging to this club made us special and connected us in some unique way.

Reflecting further on those childhood antics brings to mind a deeper and more important invitation that is offered to us through Jesus Christ. In John 1:12, we read, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Unlike my childhood club, which has trivial requirements, the invitation to become part of God’s family is not based on secret knowledge or exclusive rituals. It is open to everyone who receives Jesus and believes in His name.

This divine invitation is illuminated by the wisdom of God, which is often compared to light within Scripture. For instance, in Psalm 119:105, it says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God’s wisdom is not hidden in darkness. It is revealed clearly in Scripture and in the person of Jesus, guiding us toward a relationship with Him. Just as light dispels darkness and reveals what is hidden, God’s wisdom, His Word, brings clarity and direction to our lives.

The challenge for us is whether we are living in the light of His wisdom. Are we truly walking as children of God, or are we still stumbling in the dark, clinging to our own secretive ways and misguided beliefs? To be part of God’s family is to embrace His Light (His revealed wisdom in the manifestation of Jesus), to let His truth guide our steps, and to align ourselves with His purposes for our good and for His glory.

Today, if you feel you are outside this divine family, know that the path is always open through Jesus. He is the Light that reveals our way back to God, and His grace extends to all who trust in Him. By putting your faith in Jesus, you step out of the shadows of doubt and into the warm light of God’s family. Embrace the Light, accept the invitation, and experience the hope and belonging that comes with being a child of God.