Longing to be a part of something

We want to be a part of a team.  We want to belong, to know that people value and rely upon us.  We want to be needed and know that our actions add to a solution. Our human condition longs to be a part of something that matters.

From the beginning of our time on this earth, we have longed to be a part of a family, then a group of friends and by chance create our own belonging.  This feeling of belonging was created by God in us.  We desire to be in relationship with God and with His bride, the church.

1 Peter 2:9-10 reminds us of our position and place within God’s family.

9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

It is His work.  He desires a relationship with us.  He chose to be in a relationship with us.  And we must respond to that relationship.  He offers us a position, a people to call our own, and a place to belong.

We respond to the offer of relationship with worship.  We call out God’s praises, both individually and corporately.  We identify His work of mercy and we cannot help but respond with joy.

We are His people, set apart by Him for His work.  He has brought us together through faith to be His church on earth.  He has called us to be His people and respond to Him in worship.

This place of worship in community is where we belong.  We belong in the community that brings God worship and praise.  This community of imperfect people is transformed by God’s work into a people that will be His for all eternity.

We are His church, We are His people, this is where we belong.  A community that worships and serves God together.