Brené Brown, a female American academic once remarked: "True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness." Romans 14:7-9 reminds us: “For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”
A sense of belonging is the feeling of being accepted, included, and connected to another person, a group or a community. It's a fundamental human necessity that contributes to overall well-being, impacting mental health, happiness, and even academic or professional performance. Integration and feeling valued by others is crucial for psychological and social development. Most people in life think of themselves as imperfect in some respect. When they compare their individual qualities to those of another, elements of inadequacy or inferiority may sometimes surface to the fore. A yearning to be like someone else may be implanted. From that point on the struggles of life can start. However, in God’s eyes everyone is considered equal. Galatians 3:28 reminds us: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Aspirations can lead to a sense of belonging, that is the heart of life. The farmer belongs to the fields, to nurture and provide growth for the sustenance of all. Parents belong to their children, to raise, protect, guide and encourage. Teachers belong to their schools, to teach and care for the young or to coach the less academic who struggle to learn. Belonging fosters a sense of security and achievement, it reduces stress, and enhances resilience, while also positively impacting physical health and reducing poor behavior. At work, a sense of belonging boosts employee engagement, morale, and performance.
For many, God belongs in their heart. Others, or non-believers may refute that concept. The idea that "God is in the heart" is a spiritual concept, not a literal one, and while it's a core belief for many, it's not universally accepted. Some people may not believe because they have different spiritual credence, or they might not accept a deity at all. Others might struggle with the idea of God being contained within a physical organ, or they might find the notion difficult to reconcile with their understanding of the world. Without belonging, God is sometimes rejected and people may walk in the barren wilderness of life. They lack purpose, they lack love and may become forlorn like lost sheep. The phrase "walking in the wilderness" can be interpreted in both literal and metaphorical ways. In a religious context, it often signifies a period of spiritual testing, hardship, or isolation, where one's faith or relationship with God is challenged. This experience can be seen as a necessary part of spiritual growth, leading to deeper reliance on God and a more profound understanding of His presence. However, the concept also resonates outside of religious frameworks, suggesting that without a strong sense of purpose, meaning, or connection to something larger than oneself, life can feel like a barren and directionless journey.
A relationship with God residing in our hearts could be considered a true belonging. With God in our heart the world effectively becomes a personal oyster. New avenues are opened. This concept suggests that a personal relationship with God, often described as a heart-to-heart connection, can provide a deep sense of security, love, and purpose, fulfilling a fundamental human need to belong. Ultimately, whether one believes God is literally or metaphorically within them is a matter of personal faith and interpretation. Belonging can become transformative. Feeling a sense of belonging fosters well-being, enhances self-esteem, and can lead to personal growth and development. It's not just about “fitting in”, but about finding a relationship where one feels accepted, valued, and supported. This can empower individuals to embrace new experiences, develop a growth mindset, and ultimately, reach their full potential.
The biblical story of Ruth and Naomi in the Book of Ruth vividly illustrates the theme of belonging, particularly through loyalty, love, and finding a place within a new community. Despite facing hardship and displacement, Ruth's unwavering commitment to her mother-in-law Naomi, and their eventual acceptance into the community of Bethlehem, highlights the transformative power of belonging. Ruth 1:3-17 reminds us: “But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother's house. May the Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. Lord grant that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband!” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.
And they said to her, “No, we will return with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? Turn back, my daughters; go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, even if I should have a husband this night and should bear sons, would you therefore wait till they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.” Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”
A sense of belonging often include friendships. These add zest and the ability to cope with the many differing surprises that life brings our way. Instead of feeling fearful, they may be welcomed. Friendships are a key component in the assurance that one belongs, as they provide connection, support, and a sense of being valued and accepted. Having friends helps individuals feel less isolated, boosts happiness, and reduces stress, all of which contribute to a stronger sense of belonging. Henri Nouwen, a Dutch priest once remarked: “Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let's not be afraid to receive each day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.”
A sense of belonging is inherently connected to feeling welcome. It encompasses the feeling of being accepted, valued, and included within a group or community. When someone feels a sense of belonging, it signifies they are genuinely welcomed and that their presence is appreciated. Romans 15:7 reminds us: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Amen.
