Belongin

~Nancy Goring

   I hear many people say that they just don’t feel like they “belong.”  This is not a new concept. Generations before us have expressed the same sentiment. Belonging is something that is intrinsic within every human being and is needful. Whether it is with family members, friends, or a church family – everyone needs to feel wanted; that they belong.

     As Christians we have assurance that we “belong.” We belong to the greatest institution ever established, the church of our Lord and Savior, which was in the mind of God before He ever formed the world (Matthew 25:34). And we belong to the Father in heaven. Consider the following passages from David:

   “ But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord  will hear when I call unto him. Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord” (Psalm 4:3-5). KJV

     We can know that we have been set apart, or sanctified by God when we obey the gospel and walk in His steps (1 John 3:19; 24). What a comforting thought to not only know (no doubts!) we have been set apart, but that He desires this personal relationship with every one of His children. We were made for Him and we belong to Him. That’s right, Christians belong, not only here on earth in His Holy church, but also to God personally, for eternity.

     David further states that we have a privilege only Christians can have – that of communicating with Him in prayer (John (9:31; 1 Peter 3:12). He hears us and He wants us to talk with Him, to tell Him how much we love Him, to lay our burdens and sins upon His ear, asking Him for forgiveness, that we will not have to bear so heavy a load in this life. We receive strength from Him as we communicate in prayer, and study His Word.

     When we are righteous, when we trust in Him, when we stand in awe of His majesty and spend quiet time alone with Him in prayer, He will comfort us. As we meditate upon His Holy Word, we find the much-needed strength to take us through each and every day in a world that is sick with sin. He gives us the stamina to go forward and fight the good fight. When we feel like we cannot find anyone else to hear us, we know that our God is there every moment of every day to listen. He is our Rock (Deuteronomy 32:31; 37).

     We belong to the Father; we are His children. There is no greater “belonging.” We can belong to many things - clubs, groups, and other secular gatherings, but nothing on this earth will ever give us the fulfillment that we have when we belong to God and know that He is waiting in heaven and has prepared a place of rest for us. I pray that all of my sisters realize that they are loved, wanted, and treasured by the God of Creation.

Nancy is the wife of Bill Goring, who serves as a gospel preacher and elder for the Chipman Road church of Christ in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She has 4 children, 11 grandchildren and has taught Bible class for over 40 years, speaks at Ladies Day gatherings and has published several books including: Behavior Becoming Holiness: Studies in Titus Chapter 2 and Overcoming our Self-Imposed Prisons.