A deep need within every person is the need to belong.
We are made for families. If our families don’t meet that need, we look to others who will. That’s why we have gangs. We form groups, we go from relationship to relationship always searching for the right group, the right spouse.
Do you feel like you belong? Or do you feel like an outsider? You are on the outside looking in wishing with all your heart you could be part of “them.” You think, “I am the wrong colour; I am the wrong age; my background is too different…”
I bring good news to you.
The greatest family we can belong to is God’s family. And in this family age, skin colour, nationality, family background doesn’t matter. We are all the same: sinners saved by grace.
How do we get into God’s family?
God’s unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure (Ephesians 1:3-4).
It’s through Jesus Christ. We must come to Him and surrender ourselves to Him. Then He becomes our Savior and Lord. “To all who received him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
After you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior, these verses are true for you.
You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ…God loves you dearly and has called you to be his very own people (Romans 1:6).
How we praise the God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. (Ephesians 1:3 NLT)
While we live we live to please the Lord. And when we die, we go to be with the Lord. So in life and in death we belong to the Lord (Romans 14:7,8).
Did you notice how often “we belong” is mentioned?
When you get the feeling of not belonging, quote these verses putting your name into them. Then say, “God says I belong and that’s the truth.”
But even in churches and Christian circles you can feel like an outsider. That saddens the heart of God for He wants us to be one loving family.
Let us look out for people who are standing alone in the church foyer, who are somewhat different than the rest…We need to come to them with God’s loving acceptance.
God’s love is something abstract until it takes on a kind face, a gentle voice, and loving hands. Let us be that visible expression of God’s love today.
By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission
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