Called to Belong

"You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ." ~Romans 1:6

I immediately circled the words "called to belong" when I read that verse in Romans on January 1st!  What a gift for that to be at the very beginning of my reading for this year.  ❤

For me and so many others, it is easy to feel alone and misunderstood, like no one fully knows and understands you, like your heart doesn't matter much to people, like there is no person or place where you truly belong and will always be welcomed and loved. But Jesus Himself can be that person, and heaven can be that place for us!  We belong to Him, and we belong with Him. Our hearts are seen and known and cared for, and we are loved and chosen and pursued!  He is where my soul can find real rest and a sense of belonging and being fully known and fully loved. It's something we all crave, and no human being or earthly thing or accomplishment will ever satisfy it.  "The world offers only a craving..." (1 John 2:16).  But we are called to belong. Believing that is healing, and Jesus wants that for us! To know we are an important part of His family, that there is a place being prepared for us, that we have a purpose here on earth, and that He will never leave us or reject us. Because we belong to Him. It's bringing peace and relief to my soul even now as I type this out.

"Get rid of ALL bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." ~Eph. 4:31-32

This = the other verse that's been on my heart a lot lately - one of my 2009 memory verses that I have never forgotten... Guarding what God has entrusted to me does NOT mean being overly guarded and failing to put my heart into my relationships (although that is certainly the temptation).  God is asking for genuine kindness, for me to remain tenderhearted instead of being self-protective, and for me to choose to forgive through the redemptive power of Christ, again and again and again! To be patient and kind and not keep a record of past wrongs... all the qualities of LOVE that Jesus perfectly represents. It requires trusting Him and His goodness and His heart toward me enough to pray for and continue to love people who hurt me. Enough to believe I am set apart, not set aside.  Enough to believe that God can soften me and redeem what sometimes still feels broken. 

He can. And He will. Because I belong to Him! ❤