I’ve been stewing on the concept of belonging for a few weeks now. You know when it feels like everything you read or listen to talks about the same thing, and you realize God is trying to tell you something? That’s how it’s been for me with this concept of belonging.
How does belonging change the way you view your life? We are all looking for a place to belong, for a people group or tribe who will rally around us, telling us we matter and have worth. Unfortunately, people are often rather faulty in doing this consistently, and end up failing us.
It blows me away that the God of the Universe reverberates over you over and over, saying, “I desire you. I want relationship with you. I want you to receive my love. I will never stop drawing you close to me, hoping you will see my incredible love for you.“
If we find belonging in the One who holds eternity and our lives together, I think we can face much suffering (which is a natural part of human life) without falling apart entirely. If we know that someone still wants us, even when we feel most unwantable, we can face much discouragement with an unabashed hope.
Jesus, our Kinsman-Redeemer, has rescued us. A kinsman-redeemer in Israel was a man who took responsibility for a widow by providing for her and taking her into his family so she would not be destitute. (Read Ruth if you want to get a beautiful picture of this in action.)
Jesus has proven how much He values us in that He was willing to die for us to be with Him. He has called us by name, adopted us, brought us into His family and called us His children. We belong to Him. We belong. No more searching wondering who could want us in the state we find ourselves.
God says no matter how people get it wrong in your life, you always have a place with Him. No one gets to convince Him that you aren’t worth it. He has placed worth on your life, on relationship with you. He has continued to pursue you down every path, waiting for you to turn and find true love in His eyes.
If you have ever felt as if you didn’t belong, like you were rejected by the rest of the world and could never find a place to land, consider Jesus. He responds with excitement and great enthusiasm, for He has waited a long time for you to come to Him. He says, “I want you. I choose you.” What peace in belonging to Him!
Now this is what Yahweh says: Listen, Jacob, to the One who created you, Israel, to the one who shaped who you are. Do not fear, for I, your Kinsman-Redeemer, will rescue you. I have called you by name, and you are mine. Isaiah 43:1