Belonging
“The lesson here is that everyone needs to feel like they belong.”
Romans 12:3-5, 10 (NLT)
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Reflection
We can search the Bible from cover to cover but we’ll not find one example of a solitary saint fulfilling God’s purpose for their life. John the Baptist carried out his ministry in the wilderness, yet he was surrounded by people (Matthew 3:1-6). Peter was isolated in prison but the church prayed constantly for him (Acts 12:5). We weren’t created to do this life alone but our culture trumpets an opposing view. All of life’s heartaches and troubles are hopelessly suppressed through a belief system that declares “You Are Enough.” One bad report is all it takes to shatter that myth.
During His time on earth, Jesus modeled what it means to live life in community. Whether breaking bread with societal outcasts, or preaching the gospel to the masses, Jesus was all about relational connections. Consider the story in John 11 where Jesus resurrects Lazarus from the grave. After performing such a miracle, He could have easily commanded Lazarus’s grave clothes to fall off him, but He didn’t do that. Instead, Jesus instructed the community that had gathered around to unwrap their friend and set him free.
The lesson here is that everyone needs to feel like they belong. It is our privilege to be a part of a body that comforts those who are mourning a loss, rejoices with those who are celebrating life, and helps those who are bound by issues they cannot resolve alone.
Action Steps
In what ways are you connected to a community of believers? If you are not currently serving within the church body, consider finding a team to serve with and be deliberate about helping others fit in.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping me with the faith I need to serve You and Your church body. Continue using me in ways I’m not aware of to bless my community of brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Reflection
We can search the Bible from cover to cover but we’ll not find one example of a solitary saint fulfilling God’s purpose for their life. John the Baptist carried out his ministry in the wilderness, yet he was surrounded by people (Matthew 3:1-6). Peter was isolated in prison but the church prayed constantly for him (Acts 12:5). We weren’t created to do this life alone but our culture trumpets an opposing view. All of life’s heartaches and troubles are hopelessly suppressed through a belief system that declares “You Are Enough.” One bad report is all it takes to shatter that myth.
During His time on earth, Jesus modeled what it means to live life in community. Whether breaking bread with societal outcasts, or preaching the gospel to the masses, Jesus was all about relational connections. Consider the story in John 11 where Jesus resurrects Lazarus from the grave. After performing such a miracle, He could have easily commanded Lazarus’s grave clothes to fall off him, but He didn’t do that. Instead, Jesus instructed the community that had gathered around to unwrap their friend and set him free.
The lesson here is that everyone needs to feel like they belong. It is our privilege to be a part of a body that comforts those who are mourning a loss, rejoices with those who are celebrating life, and helps those who are bound by issues they cannot resolve alone.
Action Steps
In what ways are you connected to a community of believers? If you are not currently serving within the church body, consider finding a team to serve with and be deliberate about helping others fit in.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for equipping me with the faith I need to serve You and Your church body. Continue using me in ways I’m not aware of to bless my community of brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.
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