Mike wiped his brow as he brushed another board with sealant. It had been a tough project, but the end result was worth it. Straightening, he gazed across the deck. Once it was sealed, it would be complete. The best part had been the time spent working with his teenage son. He’d be off to college in the fall, and this time together had been precious. If only Mike could reach him for God before he left.

            The screen door opened, and Nate ambled out, a bowl of cereal in hand. “I thought we were finished with the deck. What are you working on?”

            Mike set down his brush. “The deck has to be sealed.”

            Nate crinkled his brow. “I can’t tell where you’ve painted it and where you haven’t. What’s the point?”

            “Sealant isn’t something you can see. It’s to protect the deck from moisture. Without it, the wood would be prone to insect damage, mildew, and rot. This sealant has a UV protectant in it as well, to keep the boards from sun damage.”

            Nate swallowed his mouthful of cereal, brow crinkled. “That doesn’t make sense. It’s wood. Why would wood need to be protected?” He pointed to the trees lining the yard. “There’s wood all over the place that doesn’t need protection.”
            “Bark protects the trees. God designed them with a protective coating. Plus, while the trees are alive, the natural oils in them keep them from drying out. Once the wood dries out, it’s susceptible to many problems.”

            Nate slurped the rest of his cereal and set the bowl on the deck railing. “Do you have another paintbrush? I’m happy to help.”

            Beaming, Mike handed Nate a brush and resumed his work. “I never thought about it before, but this project is a lot like what God does for us.” Mike glanced at Nate, who didn’t answer, but didn’t turn away, either. A good sign. “Becoming a Christian is not something you can see on the outside, but God protects us when we ask Him to take over our lives.”
            Nate snorted. “I know you believe that, Dad, but bad stuff happens to lots of Christians.”

            “He doesn’t protect us from bad things happening,” Mike said. “We live in a world corrupted by sin. Christians have to deal with the effects of sinful people, and of a cursed world. We’re not protected from sickness, disease, or someone shooting us. No, we’re protected from the rot, the mildew of sin, which eats you from the inside out. Knowing I’m sealed by God gives me the peace to live in this sin-filled world and know I’m living for something more important. Whatever happens, God has my best interest in mind and will stand by me and love me through it.”

Jenna stood in the doorway “I always thought that verse about us being sealed by God had to do with ownership, of His claiming us as His own.”

            Mike glanced up at his wife. “How long have you been standing there?”

            “Long enough to hear your words of wisdom to our son.”

            Nate turned toward his mom. “Don’t you agree with Dad?”

            “I do,” Jenna said. “It’s a wonderful picture. I just never heard it explained that way before.”

            Mike nodded. “You’re right. There is more to it. The Bible says the Holy Spirit seals us. That means we’re protected, but it also means He’s putting his seal on us. Back in Bible times, people used to claim things by putting their seal on them. God does the same with us. I, for one, am thrilled to be claimed by Him. That seal promises our future in Heaven.”

            “Only you could turn deck-sealing into a sermon,” Nate muttered, but he smiled.
            Mike chuckled. “I’ll take that as a compliment. You know, there is one important difference between the wood and us.”

            “I hope there’s more than one,” Nate said, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth.

            “God seals the trees naturally when they grow, but we are born with sin. We need to choose to take on His protection because we’re not automatically born Christians.” Mike shot a glance at Nate. “Just because someone’s parents are Christians doesn’t make them a Christian. They have to choose it for themselves.”

            “You’ve given me a lot to think about,” Nate said. “Especially the part about not being a Christian just because you guys are.”

            “You’ll always be a part of this family, whether or not you live here,” Mike said. “You were born into this family, and your mother and I will always love you. God will always love you too, but He gives you the right to choose whether you want to be part of His family.”

            “Thanks, Dad,” Nate said. “And thanks for letting me help build the deck. I’m proud to be part of this family.” His brush traveled down the board in even strokes. “And maybe someday soon I’ll be part of God’s family, too.”

Ephesians 1:13-14

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

God, thank you for wanting us all to be a part of Your family. As it is written in 2nd Peter 3, You don’t wish anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance. Thank you for claiming us as Your own, for promising to stand by us and love us no matter what. Romans 8:38-39 says ^“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Help us to show others the blessing of being a part of your family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.