This Is Where You Belong
written by Nicole Farmer, Administrative Coordinator
Have you ever wondered if you really belong? Maybe it was in a certain social setting, at work, in school, or perhaps even in your own family. Sometimes that sense of rejection seems like it just won’t let go.
Whether or not you were actually an orphan growing up in a grueling foster care system, it’s possible to have an orphan mindset. It’s like carrying a heavy burden of rejection and abandonment through life. Then, if you confuse those awful feelings with the truth, it can lead you to believe that you are unwanted and unloved. The good news is that the Lord doesn’t see you that way:
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. EPHESIANS 1:5
Isn’t that wonderful? The truth is that we have been grafted into Jesus Christ’s family tree forever. We belong here! When we feel unaccepted and rejected in this world, we can bask in the truth that we have a heavenly Father who created us, adores us, and treasures us as His beloved children.
Every human being has a basic need to be fully loved, accepted, and delighted over because we were made in the image of a deeply relational God. We were created to be in a relationship, to be in a family (whether that be a biological family, church family, group of friends, or another form), and to be cherished for all that we are— even the funny quirks and nuances of our individual personalities. We each have God’s unique fingerprints on our lives. He’s the one who thought us up, formed us and fashioned us for Himself.
Of course, no family is perfect and we all may feel rejected from time to time. But the truth is that we have a loving Father who made us for Himself, placed us in His heavenly family, and sings tenderly over us. Next time you feel unaccepted or unloved, spend some time with God. And know that this church family loves you and wants to be a part of your life. Get plugged into a small group or a Sunday school class or volunteer around the church, I promise you will feel the big arms of the Lord wrapped around you.
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you
with joyful songs. ZEPHANIAH 3:17