Belonging!

A fish out of water. Have you ever seen one flopping around on the ground or on the deck of a boat? Have you ever felt like one; experiencing a situation that made you feel confused our out of place like a fish out of water? The water is where a fish belongs, not on land. Living in water is that for which it was created.

"Sometimes I feel like I don't belong." Have we ever felt and even stated that? It is possible for some circumstances to not seem right because they are not right; they are not what we were meant for. The feeling might be telling us those we are with and the activity they are doing is not for us. As Jesus expressed regarding His disciples ( John 17:15-16), though in the world, we are not of the world. Experiencing not belonging may feel quite uncomfortable, but -- like a fish out of water -- this realm is not where we are to become the most comfortable. We were created with a Divine purpose of living for the Lord now with a Divine destiny of being with Him for eternity. Therefore, as Christians, we need to remember where our true connection is.

In Paul's letter to the church at Philippi we read. . .
"(20) But OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (21) who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." ( Philippians 3:20-21 ESV)

We all have a desire for belonging. However, we need to be certain we find that belonging in the right place. Among God's people and ultimately in Heaven is where our real sense of belonging is to be found. When the world doesn't treat us very well, remember it didn't treat the Lord very well either. In fact, much of the world still speaks against Him today. After the writer of Hebrews went through his long list of heroes of faith, he characterized them as being "of whom the world was not worthy." ( Hebrews 11:38 ESV) May we therefore live worthy lives that honor the Lord as we look forward to our eternity with Him.

Have a great day KNOWING OUR PLACE AS WE LIVE IN THIS PLACE!
Carl

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