It was another indication of “you don’t belong here.”
It was an all too familiar message.
I was tired of not belonging.
I was tired of not measuring up.
I was tired of being left out.
My heart was hurt, and heavy, and hopeless.
Ever been there?
Not being chosen to be a part of a “special” group. Not being picked to participate. Not invited to whatever. Feeling left out, blocked out, and worn out.
No matter how hard you want to, or try to belong, you get the message “you don’t… so stop trying.”
And so you do.
I know. I’ve been there.
I had again fallen into the trap of trying to find my acceptance in others, instead of in the One Who created me.
We don’t have to worry about belonging here, when our hearts and souls belong in heaven.
Yes, it hurts my heart and my ego when I’m not chosen. When I’m not included. When I don’t belong here on earth. But the truth of the matter is, none of that matters. Not one bit of it. Being chosen by God, being included in His Kingdom, belonging to Him is what matters.
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. 1 Peter 2:9-10
Because of Jesus, we’ve gone from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. That’s the best news all day.
Friend, we don’t have to strive to fit in any longer. We don’t have to worry about being included. We can let all of that go. And just rest in the truth of belonging to the One Who matters.
You belong.
So, next time? Next time we’re not included?
We can rejoice. Rejoice that we’re chosen by God. And for the record, it’s a whole lot better to be chosen by Him, than to be chosen by men (or women).
We’re in this together, my friend. And please know, you belong here. You always have, and you always will.
Much love to you today,
Julie
#SundayTruth has returned. Sharing truth from God’s Word for your Sunday. I’m honored to link this post with The Weekend Brew, with Barbie and all the beautiful people over there.
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Temporal belonging is really a chimera that vanishes as soon as we think we’ve grasped it, in all but a very few situations.
I belonged once in my life – to a very select group, of which all the other members are dead. It was St. Crispin’s Day, and knowing that I once was there – is enough. I have no need to show my scars, so to speak, to gain admittance elsewhere, for I know that I have friends in heaven.
So true, Andrew. So true. Looking forward to being reunited with our friends in heaven, aren’t you?? God bless you today!
Amen! Such wonderful encouragement. Thank you, Julie. Many blessings to you on this Sunday. xoxo
Thank you, Beth! Many blessings to you, too. Hope your weekend away has been beautiful.
Love this message and Sunday truth Julie! We belong 🙂 Shared with my peeps cause this is good stuff. Thanks for sharing your heart friend.
Hi Doris! Thank you. We do belong, and I’m so thankful we do to the One Who loves us so. Thank you for sharing. Many blessings to you for your week!
So thankful you linked this up to The Weekend Brew. I always need the reminder that I belong. Have a blessed week.
Thanks for hosting The Weekend Brew, Barbie! I love the new look at your place, and look forward to seeing all you have planned unfold in the weeks to come. Hugs to you today!
I started realizing long ago, that if I wasn’t invited, included, welcomed – then that’s not where God wanted me. I started letting him pick my friends, my group – and oh how he has blessed me! It hurts, though, to not be included. So glad He designed me, picked me and loves me, too! Sweet, wound-healing message, Julie!
I agree with you! Great perspective! He knows who and what’s best for us. I’m glad you shared it here today. Thank you for stopping in, and may your week be blessed!
Sometimes my feeling not accepted and not included has more to do with my own attitude about myself and less about how others think about me. There have been plenty of times when I truly have been left out and passed over, but there have probably been more times when I have assessed another’s feelings about me based on my own feelings about myself. Julie, you have beautifully reminded us that we need to constantly remember who we are in Christ–loved, chosen, accepted…always. It’s all about who we are in Christ…and He never leaves us out. Thanks so much for sharing this encouraging word today. Love you!
Hello, Sabra! You are absolutely correct… we need to constantly remember who we are in Christ. Our worth is found in Him, and I’m so thankful it is. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here today, as I can so relate. It’s a blessing to do life with you, dear sister. May God bless you and your family with His presence and love this week! Love you too!
Love this, Julie! Thanks for the reminder that HE has chosen us!
Hi Denise! Thank YOU for stopping by and for sharing. God bless you and your week!
Thanks for the encouragement. A very beautiful reminder. Christ has Chosen me and he knows what I need and I love that. He is my everything.
Amen, Tara! I love that… “He is my everything.” Thank you for sharing that. Such a great reminder for me and everyone else! God bless you and your week.