Belonging: Finding Your Place in the Family of God
Finding Belonging in the Family of God
In the Book of Revelation 7:9-10, the apostle John paints a vivid picture of a diverse and countless multitude gathered before the throne of God. This multitude represents people from every nation, tribe, people, and language, clothed in white robes and holding palm branches. Their voices unite in a loud proclamation, declaring that salvation belongs to God and the Lamb.
Belonging is a fundamental human need. We all desire to feel a sense of connection and purpose, to find our place in a community. However, many of us struggle with this sense of belonging, even among fellow believers. We may feel like we don't fit in, pretending to be someone we are not or engaging in activities that go against our beliefs just to belong. Some have given up entirely, choosing isolation over the potential pain of rejection.
But God did not create us to be alone. He designed us for community, for belonging. He wants each and every one of us to know that we belong. The challenge lies in navigating the complex landscape of relationships and finding where we truly fit.
The Messy Church
Church is not meant to be a perfect institution. It is made up of imperfect people who come together to work through the challenges of life. We have been sold the idea that every place we go should be flawless, serving us and meeting our needs. However, true belonging requires unity, love, and an acceptance of messiness. The church is a collection of imperfect people who choose to journey together, supporting and encouraging one another along the way.
When we encounter difficulties or conflicts within the church, our natural inclination may be to run to the next church, hoping to find a perfect community. However, the messiness follows us because we carry our own imperfections wherever we go. Instead of running away, we are called to embrace the messy nature of community and work through challenges together.
The Diversity of Belonging
Belonging is not limited to a specific race or ethnicity. Black history, for example, is not only American history but also world history and biblical history. Throughout the Bible, African countries and cultures are mentioned more than any other collection of countries from any other continent. Africa is the birthplace of humanity, and it holds a significant place in God's story.
Unfortunately, our education and traditions have often downplayed the African contribution to our faith and history. We have been misled to believe that certain cultures or races are superior or inferior. But a close examination of the Bible reveals that God values Africa and African people. Jesus Himself was of mixed ancestry, representing every culture of the then-known world.
We must challenge the white supremacist hermeneutic that has infiltrated our understanding of the scriptures. By studying the Bible for ourselves, we can see the true God and recognize the value and significance of every culture and ethnicity. We can celebrate the diversity within the family of God and reject any notion of superiority or inferiority.
Belonging to God's Family
Belonging to the family of God goes beyond race or ethnicity. It is a spiritual connection that all believers share. Jesus invites us to believe, bring our full selves, and bow before Him.
Believe That You Belong
First and foremost, we need to believe that we belong. Revelation 7:9 describes a vast multitude that no one could count, representing every nation, tribe, people, and language. If we are followers of Jesus Christ, we are included in this number. We belong to the family of God.
It is important to recognize that belonging is not limited to a specific group. We must reject any notions of exclusivity or superiority. In God's kingdom, every ethnicity, culture, and language is valued and celebrated. Our church should reflect this diversity and serve as a place where everyone feels seen, connected, and supported.
Bring Your Full Self
God wants us to bring our full selves to Him. We don't need to conform to someone else's expectations or pretend to be someone we're not. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God's masterpieces, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Each one of us is uniquely designed and valuable in God's eyes.
Embracing our true selves means celebrating our strengths and accepting our weaknesses. It means acknowledging every aspect of our lives, even the things we may be ashamed of or try to hide. God can work wonders with the parts of ourselves that we don't like. He wants us to bring everything before Him and trust Him to transform us.
Bow Before the King
Ultimately, belonging to God's family requires humility and submission. Jesus is looking for people who are willing to lay down their lives and surrender to His leadership. We need to bow before the King, bringing every area of our lives before Him.
None of us are perfect, and we all have areas of our lives that need to be surrendered to God. By humbly submitting to Him, we allow Him to shape us and draw us closer to Him. It is through this submission that we truly find our place in the family of God.
Closing Thoughts
Belonging is a universal human need. We all desire to be seen, connected, and supported. In the family of God, we find the ultimate sense of belonging. Regardless of our race, ethnicity, or background, we are all invited to be part of God's diverse and beautiful family.
Let us be the church that reflects God's heart for unity, love, and inclusivity. Let us embrace the messiness of community and work through challenges together. May our church be a place where everyone feels seen, connected, supported, and empowered to be their true selves.
If you have never taken the step to believe in Jesus and surrender your life to Him, I encourage you to do so today. You can pray a simple prayer, inviting Jesus into your heart and confessing Him as Lord. If you made this decision, please reach out and send an email to info@mercyvineyard.org so that we can pray for your relationship with Jesus.
For all of us, let us identify one area of our lives that we have been holding back from God and bring it before Him in prayer. Let us bow before the King and trust Him to transform us.
Remember, you are valued, you are loved, and you belong. Together, let us live out our belonging in the family of God, embracing diversity, unity, and love.
In the Book of Revelation 7:9-10, the apostle John paints a vivid picture of a diverse and countless multitude gathered before the throne of God. This multitude represents people from every nation, tribe, people, and language, clothed in white robes and holding palm branches. Their voices unite in a loud proclamation, declaring that salvation belongs to God and the Lamb.
Belonging is a fundamental human need. We all desire to feel a sense of connection and purpose, to find our place in a community. However, many of us struggle with this sense of belonging, even among fellow believers. We may feel like we don't fit in, pretending to be someone we are not or engaging in activities that go against our beliefs just to belong. Some have given up entirely, choosing isolation over the potential pain of rejection.
But God did not create us to be alone. He designed us for community, for belonging. He wants each and every one of us to know that we belong. The challenge lies in navigating the complex landscape of relationships and finding where we truly fit.
The Messy Church
Church is not meant to be a perfect institution. It is made up of imperfect people who come together to work through the challenges of life. We have been sold the idea that every place we go should be flawless, serving us and meeting our needs. However, true belonging requires unity, love, and an acceptance of messiness. The church is a collection of imperfect people who choose to journey together, supporting and encouraging one another along the way.
When we encounter difficulties or conflicts within the church, our natural inclination may be to run to the next church, hoping to find a perfect community. However, the messiness follows us because we carry our own imperfections wherever we go. Instead of running away, we are called to embrace the messy nature of community and work through challenges together.
The Diversity of Belonging
Belonging is not limited to a specific race or ethnicity. Black history, for example, is not only American history but also world history and biblical history. Throughout the Bible, African countries and cultures are mentioned more than any other collection of countries from any other continent. Africa is the birthplace of humanity, and it holds a significant place in God's story.
Unfortunately, our education and traditions have often downplayed the African contribution to our faith and history. We have been misled to believe that certain cultures or races are superior or inferior. But a close examination of the Bible reveals that God values Africa and African people. Jesus Himself was of mixed ancestry, representing every culture of the then-known world.
We must challenge the white supremacist hermeneutic that has infiltrated our understanding of the scriptures. By studying the Bible for ourselves, we can see the true God and recognize the value and significance of every culture and ethnicity. We can celebrate the diversity within the family of God and reject any notion of superiority or inferiority.
Belonging to God's Family
Belonging to the family of God goes beyond race or ethnicity. It is a spiritual connection that all believers share. Jesus invites us to believe, bring our full selves, and bow before Him.
Believe That You Belong
First and foremost, we need to believe that we belong. Revelation 7:9 describes a vast multitude that no one could count, representing every nation, tribe, people, and language. If we are followers of Jesus Christ, we are included in this number. We belong to the family of God.
It is important to recognize that belonging is not limited to a specific group. We must reject any notions of exclusivity or superiority. In God's kingdom, every ethnicity, culture, and language is valued and celebrated. Our church should reflect this diversity and serve as a place where everyone feels seen, connected, and supported.
Bring Your Full Self
God wants us to bring our full selves to Him. We don't need to conform to someone else's expectations or pretend to be someone we're not. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God's masterpieces, created in Christ Jesus for good works. Each one of us is uniquely designed and valuable in God's eyes.
Embracing our true selves means celebrating our strengths and accepting our weaknesses. It means acknowledging every aspect of our lives, even the things we may be ashamed of or try to hide. God can work wonders with the parts of ourselves that we don't like. He wants us to bring everything before Him and trust Him to transform us.
Bow Before the King
Ultimately, belonging to God's family requires humility and submission. Jesus is looking for people who are willing to lay down their lives and surrender to His leadership. We need to bow before the King, bringing every area of our lives before Him.
None of us are perfect, and we all have areas of our lives that need to be surrendered to God. By humbly submitting to Him, we allow Him to shape us and draw us closer to Him. It is through this submission that we truly find our place in the family of God.
Closing Thoughts
Belonging is a universal human need. We all desire to be seen, connected, and supported. In the family of God, we find the ultimate sense of belonging. Regardless of our race, ethnicity, or background, we are all invited to be part of God's diverse and beautiful family.
Let us be the church that reflects God's heart for unity, love, and inclusivity. Let us embrace the messiness of community and work through challenges together. May our church be a place where everyone feels seen, connected, supported, and empowered to be their true selves.
If you have never taken the step to believe in Jesus and surrender your life to Him, I encourage you to do so today. You can pray a simple prayer, inviting Jesus into your heart and confessing Him as Lord. If you made this decision, please reach out and send an email to info@mercyvineyard.org so that we can pray for your relationship with Jesus.
For all of us, let us identify one area of our lives that we have been holding back from God and bring it before Him in prayer. Let us bow before the King and trust Him to transform us.
Remember, you are valued, you are loved, and you belong. Together, let us live out our belonging in the family of God, embracing diversity, unity, and love.
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