Adam and Eve are our greatest grandparents.

From them, all the colors, all the cultures, all the peoples of the world have come. Our role models, our neighbors, our enemies, are really all family, far extended as they may be.

1 Samuel 16:7 says that “man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart.” What does He see? He sees cheating tax collectors, like Zacchaeus, with hearts eager to change. He sees ashamed adulterous women eager for His mercy. He sees humble girls, like Mary, willing to give their lives for God’s plan. He sees misdirected nations, like the people of Nineveh, needing encouragement to repent. He sees errant church leaders, like Saul, needing to be steered in His direction. He sees clinging children needing His love.

God doesn’t look for the banners we stand under, the countries we salute, the churches we attend. He looks at our hearts. Whatever part of the world we come from, if we are eager to be His, He knows.

All those God-seekers, those Jesus-following folks, aren’t just your own far-reaching family. They are part of God’s family too.