Find Rest & Relief In This Bible Verse From Isaiah

As a I child, I remember wanting nothing more than to “fit in.”

That desire faded as I got older, but I believe the longing still lingers in all of us. We all want to belong – to something, to someone, to a group. Because belonging means we are seen, valued, and loved. Who doesn’t want that?

The desire to belong can lead us to do things we aren’t proud of. I can think of a few times when I’ve tried to fit in, and they aren’t my best moments. How do we break this cycle? I think, like many things, the answer is found within God’s Word.

Isaiah 43:1 tells us…“But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the One who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.’”

Did you catch that? We do belong. We belong to God, and this type of belonging won’t fade or force us to do things we aren’t proud of. It is our God-given right as followers of Christ. Belonging to God doesn’t come with a price we have to pay because Jesus has already paid it all in full.

Unlike the world, God doesn’t say:

“Pay the low monthly price of $19.95 to belong to me”

“To belong, all you have to do is fit this beauty standard”

“Achieve ________ and receive God’s acceptance and love”

Belonging to Christ is such a relief. We don’t have to strive, or wonder if we will ever fit in. We’re safe in His arms, forever a part of His family.

This is a beautiful truth to rest in, and each of us should. When we become secure in our identity in Christ and our membership in His family, we are less likely to compromise that identity when we are seeking relationships and community here on Earth.

Today, let’s take a deep breath and allow Christ to set us free from the burden of belonging because God says to each one of us “you are mine.”