That’s why Paul tells us we are “ not own” in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. The price of our belonging was set and met through the sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. In Christ, belonging isn’t mere affection, camaraderie or membership in the same club … It is so much more. Not church denominations, political parties, justice movements or social circles.

Rather, it’s an extension of the work of redemption in our lives when we discover how much God loves us. (1 Peter 1:18-19)Īccording to God’s Word, our self-acceptance isn’t something we’ll discover with enough self-love. I belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.The Bible has a lot to say about our belonging as Christ-followers: But what if belonging isn’t meant to be found within yourself or others? What if it is so much more than lunchroom conformity? To be known and loved: That’s what we are longing for when we look for belonging. At times, we probably all navigate the fear of being misjudged, misunderstood or mislabeled.īelonging is our current society’s commodity of choice - banding together with like-minded people and finding safety in arenas of common thought.

Like everyone on the internet is yelling at the same time about a variety of issues and ideologies. These days, it sometimes feels like the entire world is marked by angst and heartache. But truth is, we live as though it might. Or do we? If only bringing the right lunch secured the belonging we’re all looking for! We know it doesn’t. It’s funny now … and of course we know lunchroom conformity isn’t true belonging. Leftover fried rice effectively declared me an outsider. Let’s just say it didn’t go over well with my peers. They showed their love by packing a cleaned-out Dannon yogurt container with the previous night’s dinner of fried rice. My parents didn’t know about Rainbo white bread, peanut butter and jelly, or bologna and American cheese. With that lunchbox in hand, I felt prepared for anything - but I wasn’t prepared for the lunchroom. It was 1981, and my newly immigrated parents trusted my kindergarten sense of awareness enough to concede to a Strawberry Shortcake metal lunchbox. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.

When strivings cease book