A Prayer About Belonging
And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 1:6
Gracious Lord Jesus, so much of life is about the desire and delights of belonging, and the disappointments, even devastation, of not belonging. From the day we offered our first cry as a newborn, our deep longing for attention, attachment, and affection have been patently obvious.
We were born into families and our quest to find our place of “belonging” in our family has been a source of incredible joy for many of us, and multiplied heartbreaks for others. Then among our earliest friendships, in school, sports, art, more school, play, romance and career… wanting to belong has always been a constant theme-always hovering, sometimes haunting, and many times helping us experience the kinds of deep connections and community for which we were made.
And yet, and so very yet, “the belonging of all belongings” is only experienced in relationship with you, Jesus. What an incredible treasure the Apostle Paul gave us in describing the gospel as a call “to belong to Jesus Christ.” Indeed, our greatest experiences of belonging are only a scent and symbol of the joys of belonging to you, Jesus. And our most devastating experiences of not belonging find their healing and liberation in belonging to you.
“Called” to belong-not merely invited, but subpoenaed into an eternal life of being wanted, desired, known, loved, celebrated… enjoyed. “Called” to belong-not owned like a new car, but connected like a new Bride. Lord Jesus, you have purchased us with the price of your life, and your love for us, alone, is better than life. We belong, now and forever, to you! Help me, help us, to come more fully alive to our “belongingness” in you, Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your Name.
