We Belong to Him

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalms 100:3

Where do you belong? There are a few ways to think about belonging. Familial belonging is one type—a belonging that you are born into. Then, there is also a belonging that comes from choice. When a husband and wife take vows in front of their friends and family, they vow to belong to one another for the rest of their lives. There is yet another kind of belonging that is beyond this world. When Jesus walked on earth in human form, lived a perfect life, took on the sins of all mankind, died, and resurrected, He provided a means of eternal belonging. He brought down the idea that only High Priests could have direct communication and a relationship with God. Because of the blood of Jesus, we belong. We have an eternal belonging, but it is one we must choose to accept. Jesus tells His disciples in Matthew 16:24, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.’ This is not a process that happens once and is never revisited. It is an ongoing, intentional decision to deny ourselves and be formed by the Spirit. But on the other side of that choice is a belonging like no other. Our Father is one who loves unconditionally; He refines His children for their good. He has adopted us into His family and given us a forever home with Him. Living in the truth of eternal belonging can encourage each of us today by providing immeasurable freedom. We no longer belong to ourselves; we belong to Him.