You Belong Here
Stephen Billings
“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:19
Have you ever just wanted to belong? Have you wanted to be welcomed into a fun group of friends, classmates, work buddies, a band, or even a sports team?
When I was in high school, I loved to play baseball. It was all that I wanted to do growing up. As my passion grew I ended up playing more and more until I ended up playing baseball year-round. While I had a passion and a love for baseball, I never felt that I always fit in on the teams that I played on. While many of the players on my team would share about crazy parties, sinful habits, and so forth, I was trying to live for the Lord, but yet, had a strong desire to belong. I just wanted to feel like I was just one of the guys. I grew up in the church, so I heard many teachings on “being in the world yet not of the world.” Although I knew I was not to be of this world, I still desired to fit in with my teammates and friends who were partaking in activities that would not bring glory to God.
I share this with you because I believe that we all go through times in our lives when we desire to be a part of some sort of group or organization; yet when we are accepted into that opportunity, we feel out of place.
John 15:19 states, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own.” While we may desire to belong while here on Earth, we will not feel accepted or “loved” by the world because we are not of the world. We are of God.
John 15:19 continues to say, “But I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” Because God chose us we will not feel like we belong to the world. In fact, David in 2 Chronicles 29:15, shares that we are like aliens and pilgrims when it comes to our experience on Earth. We do not belong to the world because we are not of it.
When we feel the need to belong it is easy to forget that our Bible directly says that the “world will hate” us. As we tend to forget this, we do our best to fit in. This is the exact opposite of what God calls us to do. The next time we feel the need to belong, we should turn and run to our Heavenly Father for comfort, wisdom, and strength, which will come through reading the Word of God and prayer.
Also remember that even though this world is not our home, there is great power when believers gather together (Matthew 18:20). Community is important, so make sure to find believers to study God’s Word with. If you are not already plugged in here at The River Church, visit our website, theriverchurch.cc, to find a Growth Community today and know that you belong to God.
Stephen Billings
“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” John 15:19
Have you ever just wanted to belong? Have you wanted to be welcomed into a fun group of friends, classmates, work buddies, a band, or even a sports team?
When I was in high school, I loved to play baseball. It was all that I wanted to do growing up. As my passion grew I ended up playing more and more until I ended up playing baseball year-round. While I had a passion and a love for baseball, I never felt that I always fit in on the teams that I played on. While many of the players on my team would share about crazy parties, sinful habits, and so forth, I was trying to live for the Lord, but yet, had a strong desire to belong. I just wanted to feel like I was just one of the guys. I grew up in the church, so I heard many teachings on “being in the world yet not of the world.” Although I knew I was not to be of this world, I still desired to fit in with my teammates and friends who were partaking in activities that would not bring glory to God.
I share this with you because I believe that we all go through times in our lives when we desire to be a part of some sort of group or organization; yet when we are accepted into that opportunity, we feel out of place.
John 15:19 states, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own.” While we may desire to belong while here on Earth, we will not feel accepted or “loved” by the world because we are not of the world. We are of God.
John 15:19 continues to say, “But I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” Because God chose us we will not feel like we belong to the world. In fact, David in 2 Chronicles 29:15, shares that we are like aliens and pilgrims when it comes to our experience on Earth. We do not belong to the world because we are not of it.
When we feel the need to belong it is easy to forget that our Bible directly says that the “world will hate” us. As we tend to forget this, we do our best to fit in. This is the exact opposite of what God calls us to do. The next time we feel the need to belong, we should turn and run to our Heavenly Father for comfort, wisdom, and strength, which will come through reading the Word of God and prayer.
Also remember that even though this world is not our home, there is great power when believers gather together (Matthew 18:20). Community is important, so make sure to find believers to study God’s Word with. If you are not already plugged in here at The River Church, visit our website, theriverchurch.cc, to find a Growth Community today and know that you belong to God.
Posted in Upper Room
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