Do you like to feel as though you belong? Do you like to be accepted? What type of group do you want to belong to? Is it a national organization? Is it a local organization? Is it a certain group of friends? Is it your family? You can belong to the best family.
We are made to be in community. We are made to be social beings. Therefore, we long to belong. We try to fill this longing by joining a variety of organizations and groups. We join organizations our friends join. Sometimes, we force our way into families.
The desire to belong can drive us to join bad groups. It is one of the reasons many join gangs. They are accepted and treated well…for a while. It is only later, when it is determined they can be trusted, that they are tasked with carrying out nefarious acts. Unfortunately, at that point, they feel as though it is too late to escape.
We also join a variety of other groups. Some are associated with our workplace. Some are simply organizations that focus on social mingling. Other organizations may be focused on our physical or mental wellbeing. But family is the most important group we can be part of.
We can be part of the family of God. Jesus tells us that He is in the Father, the Father is in Him, He is in us, and we are in Him. This may sound confusing, and it may be something we do not fully understand. However, the simplest way to view it is God’s family. Once we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, we belong. Jesus accepts us as we are, even if others in the family do not. As human beings, we are imperfect, and therefore, the family of God is imperfect as it stands on earth. However, the day is coming when we will be perfect, and God’s family will be perfect.
I pray we all desire to be part of God’s family. I pray we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. I pray each one of us will accept others as they are into God’s family, just as he accepted us. Be part of God’s family. Accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Accept others into God’s family. Love as Jesus loves.
John 14:20 “On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.”
Marty Pressey 