Scripture:
Ephesians 2:1-10
Luke 12:13-21
Reflection:
"The Lord made us we belong to Him."
Psalm 100:3b
We all love to belong . . . to a family, to a community, to a club, or to a group of friends. When we belong, we feel loved and safe. We feel accepted and welcome and we know that our ideas matter, and that we matter! It’s nice to know that people like us and want to spend time with us. It’s good to know that we fit in someplace. We enjoy being with those to whom we belong.
There are certainly different kinds of belonging. Belonging to a spouse is much different than belonging to a country club. Still, we have a basic need to belong. The dictionary defines the word belong this way: 1. To be rightly placed in a specified position. 2. To be rightly classified in or assigned to a specified category.
Simply by being, we are "rightyly classified" as children of God! The greatest belonging of all is that we belong to the Lord. Take a moment to ponder that truth . . . Because we belong to the Lord, our lives have meaning and purpose, and we are secure in Him. Even when things are difficult, we know that "all things work for good" and ultimately, we will be with the Lord in the place he has prepared for us for all eternity. It doesn’t get any better than that!
Whatever difficulty you are facing today, tell the Lord how you feel about it, and then leave it with Him. Choose to walk in peace instead of focusing on your problem. By praising God during these time, we set God free to work in our situation. God is with us and He will never leave us.
Thank you Lord that we belong to You. Thank you for holding us close to your heart.
Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Portland, OR and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. Janice also leads women’s retreats. She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 6. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.jcarleton.com/ or email her at [email protected]