Remember when you were in high school, you longed to belong? Being part of a group gave you a sense of recognition for who you were and who you wanted to be. After all, that’s an indication we are made in the imaage of God, when you think about it. God is trinity–associated fully with Father, Son, Holy Spirit, integral to His being. Jesus called a band of disciples, and his inner circle certainly yearned for that sense of belonging. Galatians 4:6-7 talks about how things “belong” to us through God’s adoption of us. And because you Gentiles have become His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, and now you can call God your dear Father. And since you are His child, everything He has belongs to you.”
Ultimately, we find comfort in knowing we belong in the family of God, that we are adopted because of the saving work of Jesus Christ. And there are those in heaven who cheer us on in the faith–those who have preceded us. Hebrews suggests we will meet up with those saints eternally. Chapter 12: 1 says: Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” We ar part of the large group historically, and the group to come, and this is the ultimate in belonging, for we are all racing toward the finish line, sharing Christ’s redemption so the crowd of witnesses reaches every corner of our world.
I believe there are no “lone ranger” Christians. The fellowship with other believers is essential. In 1800, Timothy Dwight wrote these words, a hymn probably not sung often enought: “I Love They Kingdom Lord.” Dwight was a grandson of the famed Colonial preacher, Jonathan Edwards. He wrote these verses:
1 I love thy kingdom, Lord,
the house of thine abode,
the church our blest Redeemer saved
with his own precious blood.
2 I love thy church, O God:
her walls before thee stand,
dear as the apple of thine eye
and graven on thy hand.
3 For her my tears shall fall,
for her my prayers ascend;
to her my cares and toils be giv’n,
’til toils and cares shall end.
4 Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heav’nly ways,
her sweet communion, solemn vows,
her hymns of love and praise.
5 Jesus, thou Friend divine,
our Savior and our King,
thy hand from ev’ry snare and foe
shall great deliv’rance bring.
6 Sure as thy truth shall last,
to Zion shall be giv’n
the brightest glories earth can yield,
and brighter bliss of heav’n.
This hymn reflects the ultimate in belonging: to God, to the church, to the vast kingdom on earth and in the life to come.
Source: Hymnary.org Public Domain
About the Author
