Clusters of boys and girls hung out in small groups on the asphalt parking lot better known as the playground. Girls giggled and pointed at the boys and the boys tried to look too cool to notice. I was in one of those circles of girls longingly looking over at the boys. The only objective was to belong and have those boys notice us.
Preteen girls and boys are awkward and socially inadequate most of the times. I imagine you remember what it feels like to want to belong as well as the nervous giggles that accompanied your desire.
In my time of digging deeper into Exodus this summer, I found these words deserved a little more attention.
I have become a foreigner in a foreign land. Exodus 2:22 NIV
At this time, Moses was fleeing from Pharaoh, who wanted to kill him. Moses ended up in Midian and says these words as his wife, Zipporah, gave birth to their son.
The Wish to Belong
Think of those times you wished to belong. You might feel like Moses did, “a foreigner in a foreign land” because everyone around you seems to have it all together. You look longingly at the person across the room and secretly desire to have what they have. The longing doesn’t stop there, but the bottom line is that person carries themselves with a confidence that looks good on them.
If you know the story of Moses, you will remember that he led the Israelites for many years, but when it came time to enter the Promised Land, Moses never got the chance to enter. Maybe, you feel that you too are striving to reach that elusive Promised Land in your own life. It looks like everyone else is reaching their goal and crossing over into the goodness. But you feel left behind and believe you missed the invitation to belong to the group that everyone else seems to belong to.
You are not Alone
I feel this way sometimes, but let me remind you, you are not alone. That person across the room feels the same as you. It just so happens they carry themselves in a way that hides the deep longing in their own heart. We are not alone in our desires to belong. Whether we say them out loud or keep them tucked away in our hearts, we all live as foreigners in a foreign land.
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil. 3:20-21 NIV
Here’s the good news:
Our citizenship is in heaven. Â We belong to God. This gift is our invitation to knowing a God that already claimed our membership.
We await a Savior. Jesus has come and His presence in our lives identifies us as His son or daughter.
God is in control. We can surrender our people–pleasing personalities, desire to fix it, and trying to run interference because God’s already got it taken care of.
[Tweet “We belong to God and that is the only invitation we need. #TellHisStory”]
We are the lucky ones. Our hearts are intertwined with the heart of Jesus. His love and strength is enough. As a son or daughter of God, we belong and when life is anything but peaceful, God has already figured it out.
Being a foreigner in a foreign land brings us closer to the One who brought us there to begin with. He is never far away and He always calls us as His own.
Blessings,
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Mary – I hope this isn’t a repeat comment, I tried earlier but got an error. I so love the you’re not alone section – it is so true, we often assess others don’t have the same struggles, but they do. I know, I have wrongly judged a person, only to find out I was wrong once I had the opportunity to get to know them. Thanks for the linkup today 🙂
This isn’t a repeat comment. The truth of knowing I am not alone has helped me grow into my true identity as a child of God. It comes with freedom and peace. Love having you here, friend.
So grateful that while a pilgrim – and a foreigner – here…I do not travel alone. How true, this journey is just bringing us closer to the One who brought us here. What a wonderful post today!
We travel with the One who is making the way. And in the process we are learning who we are and whose we are. So glad to have you here.
I love the ESV, but I love the way the KJV expresses Ephesians 1:6: “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.” That phrase “accepted in the beloved” cured a lot of my insecurities. And it’s a good reminder, too, that other people feel insecure or out-of-the-loop just as much as we do.
“Accepted in the beloved”. Beautiful phrase. I can see how embracing those words brings the truth to your heart. Blessed to have you here.
Mary, there is so much truth in your words. That yearning to belong drove me hard for decades. It was when I finally grasped the truth that I belonged to God, that He wanted me, and that was enough for me. It didn’t matter if I was accepted by people, because my Father accepted me…that was the beginning of my rejection wound being healed.
I loved this:
Our hearts are intertwined with the heart of Jesus. His love and strength is enough. As a son or daughter of God, we belong and when life is anything but peaceful, God has already figured it out.
Thanks for sharing this wisdom, my friend!
It’s a beautiful thing when we finally know we belong to God and that is enough. I admit it took me many years to get to this place. The healing that took place, though, has changed who I am today. And I love that God already has it figured out because I know I can’t do it on my own. Love having you here, friend.
Thank you, Mary! There’s a situation where I have been feeling like that this week and your words encourage me a lot!
I am praying your situation has changed and you feel God’s presence all over it. Thank you for sharing!
Mary, this post is such a timely reminder of how much we need to think more of others and less of ourselves. I’ve been reading “Born To Wander” by Michelle Van Loon and your post blended well with my reading. Grateful for these words > “Being a foreigner in a foreign land brings us closer to the One who brought us there to begin with.”
I love when God connects the dots through multiple sources for us. It is always such an “Aha” when God takes His words and opens my eyes to see them better. Love having you here each week, Joanne!
I love that reminder that the people on the other side of the room actually feel the same way we do on the inside; we just can’t see it. That always helps me take a step outside of my own insecurities.
And what great news that you’re continuing the #TellHisStory community! Yay!
It’s good to know we are not alone in how we are feeling. I am happy once I take that step but it’s hard to do that initially.
I’ve been meaning to message you to let you know that #TellHisStory is continuing, but I know you have been busy. Glad you found me! 🙂
I’ve definitely had and have those feelings that I missed ‘the invitation’ and the party is too full for me to ever join in. And no one would want to come to mine! I think in our hearts we will always feel restless while here in our foreign land, but God’s given us a way to experience His peace in this ‘heaven on earth,’ by intwining “our hearts with the heart of Jesus.” What lovely words Mary! Thank you!
There is a restlessness that accompanies us until we meet Jesus. I feel it but know that this is part of what life on earth is all about. I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels a sense of not quite belonging at times. But am thankful that in those moments when we call upon Jesus He works to pull us all together. Blessed you joined me here and love that you are writing.