After a recent trip to Sweden with my brother Darrell, tracing our genealogy and meeting relatives for the first time, I now fully understand how important it is to have a sense of belonging. Sharing memories, pictures, uncanny similarities, mannerisms, and features with cousins has definitely given us both new chapters to add to our family story. Sure, Grandfather’s adventures to America at the age of 16 were retold several times during our childhood, but to actually visit the homeland and stand in churches where past generations first believed, belonged, worshipped, served, married, and buried loved ones was powerful and fulfilled a deep longing.
Likewise, our church invites people to belong, and we as believers belong to Christ—no matter the background or family story. As Galatians 3:28 states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Whether visiting relatives over the summer or driving around your hometown and recalling memories, everyone wants to connect and feel at home. According to Mayo Clinic, “The social ties that accompany a sense of belonging are a protective factor helping manage stress and other behavioral issues. When we feel we have support and are not alone, we are more resilient, often coping more effectively with difficult times in our lives.” This confirms the need to encourage and pray for one another, sharing both our victories and struggles.
In the Bible, Naomi certainly encountered terrible difficulties, having lost her husband, Elimelech, and two sons, Kilion and Mahlon, as a result of their pilgrimage to Moab, due to a famine in Bethlehem (and unbelief that God would provide). As a result, Naomi became a bitter, empty, grieving widow that was unrecognizable upon her return. “Can this be Naomi?” (Ruth 1:1). However, God’s redemptive plan was just beginning to unfold!
In verse eight, Naomi tells her two daughters-in-law to return to Moab. “Go back to your mother’s house, to your mother’s home, each of you… Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.” At this heart-wrenching moment, Ruth the Moabite chose to stay with Naomi and put her faith in God. “For where thou goest, I will go; and where thou dwellest I will dwell: thy people will be my people, and thy God my God.” Out of what appears to be a hopeless situation, a new believer is born!
Upon arrival in Bethlehem the body of believers were preparing for the barley harvest, and Naomi discovers a new sense of belonging with these believers, in her God-appointed role as more of a mother to Ruth and later a grandmother, following the marriage of Ruth and Boaz. Naomi needed encouraging and truthful believers to build up her failing faith, along with meaningful work (nurturing and providing wise counsel to Ruth).
Paul encourages believers in Ephesus regarding who they are in Christ. “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens, with God’s people and also members of his household.” (Ephesians 2:19). In Christ we find true belonging, being fully known and fully loved. Paul also motivates these believers to live according to their new identity and sense of belonging, in the body of Christ, with all members using their individual gifts and working together to spread the gospel. The New Testament clearly illustrates that Christians are not created to live in isolation.
Social psychologist, Geoff Cohen, in his March 3rd, 2023 Harvard University interview with Jill Anderson states that our society is experiencing “a crisis of belonging,” and sees the need to teach ways to nurture belonging to parents, educators, and citizens. As a result, the church’s role has never been more important! Romans 15:7 states, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” May we continue reaching out to Putnam County and beyond, taking the gospel to the streets and providing hope and truth, giving people a place to belong, worship, grow, and serve.
What can I do?
· Evaluate my skills and abilities.
· Seek out opportunities to serve in ministry.
· Motivate myself and others—we all need encouragement!
· Recall scripture that confirms my true identity in Christ.
You belong. You matter. You have unique gifts and talents. You are needed to do God’s work.
With Love in Christ,
Diana