Belonging is the path out of the darkness.
The dictionary defines belonging as “to be proper or due; be properly or appropriately placed, situated.” In the Greek, the word speaks of being. It is to possess characteristics and an identity with a group. It is the declaration of who I now am. It is the glue that establishes us into covenant relationships.
Belonging is a decision made by before God. It is a decision that can only be made when we understand that we are seeking God fully with all our hearts. If we are seeking God and seeking to obey God fully we come to a place where we must trust God with the visions and dreams He has placed in our hearts. They either belong to God to work out in His time, place and way or they are ours. If they are ours, we will strive and fight for them. We can trust that God’s vision will be accomplished by God. “For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.” (Habakkuk 2:3, NIV84) We can trust that as we seek God, He directs us. “The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him.” (Psalm 37:23–24, AMP) In truth, the greatest lesson of surrender to God is learning that it is our responsibility to seek Him and His responsibility to establish us. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, NIV84)
The decision to belong is one that decides that where we are now is exactly where God wants us. Therefore, the people we are around now are the ones we are to serve and to bless. Belonging shifts my focus from me and what I need to others and what they need.
When I make the decision to belong, my perspective changes. Instead of focusing on my call, my dreams, my hope and my purpose, I am now able to look at the people around me and focus on their needs, hopes and desires. I am able to serve freely when I belong not seeking to use people to further my own dreams. When I make the decision to belong, I am able to open my heart completely to those around me. I become able to value the people around me. When I make the decision to belong, the place I thought of as darkness now becomes my home and is filled with the light of God. When I choose to belong, my desert becomes a river. “I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it.” (Isaiah 41:18–20, NIV84) The decision to belong where are you are right now will open up the power of heaven to establish you and create life in everything that was filled with death.
Belonging enables contentment with the place you are now in. Contentment is a treasure. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6, NIV84) The word contentment speaks of a state of made where we realize that we need nothing else than what we currently have. Those who are content are empowered to rest. In fact, contentment is the great fuel for accomplishing what God has given us to do. “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11–13, NIV84) Belonging and contentment empower us to trust that God will accomplish His purpose for us.
If you do not belong, you will think daily about what you are not doing. You will think about where you are not. You will keep looking for a change. When you decide to belong, you will think daily about how to serve where you are at. You will search for the blessings and lessons in the present day. You will embrace each day as a gift of God with all the potential of God. If you do not belong where you are at, the dreams and vision of your future possess you. When you decide to belong where you are at, those dreams and vision are returned to God and your focus returns to living for God alone each day in every way you can.
Those who are content will find the strength to use their gifts and talents to bless those around them today. Those who are content will seek to encourage others today. Those who are content become pillars of strength to the world. Those who are content become able to become of source of light (and life) for the darkness of others.
I am not thinking about the dreams I don’t have. I am thinking about the opportunities I do have. I am not thinking about where I am not. I am thinking about where God has placed me now. I am not thinking about what I have not done. I am thinking about what I can do. Today must be fully loved and embraced for it is the seed, promise and fuel of every dream for tomorrow.
Dark Night of the Soul
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
