Belonging

Every human being wants desperately to be wanted. To feel like they belong somewhere or to someone.

Amidst the chaos of the last week, with my dad gone and six extra kids coming through our door, I’ve realized a stillness. We haven’t frantically tried to clean up the piles of toys lying around or the diapers scattered down the stairs and along the hallways; because we are just trying to be still. To love the little ones that come through the door and whisper “I love you” and “you belong” when they feel as if they are forgotten.

I’ve grown up knowing who I belong to. Jesus. Every one of us does. Sometimes it’s easy to forget how wanted and loved we are, especially when we don’t surround ourselves with believers who speak that truth into us. God wants us. He wants you. He’s chosen you to be His. He’s chosen the discarded, forgotten, and dirty. It is no coincidence these kids have walked through our door, to open my eyes to see the importance of belonging, of feeling chosen. “We are a CHOSEN race, a royal priesthood,” God chose Israel to be His people, and through Jesus, he has chosen each one of us to also belong to Him. I sat with Janey and this sweet boy as I watched them play, laugh, and make animal noises. They have been born into completely different circumstances. One will always know where she belongs, while the other, might never feel at home. Earth does not give us assurance. These two will never truly feel a sense of belonging until they choose Jesus. Assurance is found in Jesus’ finished work alone.

I know where I belong. In Jesus’ open arms! Every kid that sat around the dinner table this past week might not know that is where they belong. They might feel out of place and a burden. But they are far from that. Jesus will continue to call out to them, and the way he does that is through his vessels. Believers. I have found my belonging, and I want everyone else to find it in Jesus too.