I was always one step away. Standing nearby but never quite fitting in. Second choice with a desire for the top spot. Looking from the outside in and wondering when the door would open for me.
This was my perspective, especially in my high school years. Someone else always received the accolades while I waited in the wings ready with a supporting role. Standing nearby, but not where I hoped I would stand.
My limited understanding of who I was didn’t allow me to see that I was exactly where I was supposed to be in every situation. I saw closed doors while God saw opportunities. My belief was that I was second best when the reality was God saw me as His first–His chosen daughter–His love and His everything. I belonged and God was waiting and ready to open the door. I just needed to take a step toward Him.
Last week, we began looking more closely at Romans 5:1-5. We grabbed onto the peace that comes from our relationship with Jesus and accepted the opportunity to begin each day and the new year with His peace. Today we will take a walk in the direction of knowing we belong and are God’s first choice.
The Message version of Romans 5:1-2 says it so beautifully:
By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. Romans 5:1-2 MSG
Press pause as you read these words, “we find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand.” How does this make you feel? What about these words provides you with a sense of belonging?
For me, the words from Romans are truth-telling, promise-keeping, journal-worthy, and hope for my future. When I dwell on those high school memories, I see a girl who was unsure of the promise that God had already chosen her before she was born. I belonged just from the simple fact that I had and have a Father who loves me.
As I stand at the doors of my life, I pray I rest in the knowledge that God is on the other side. Whether the door opens or stays shut, God is with me ready to throw open the door exactly when I need it.
What does this look like in your own life? Do you stand at the door where you always hoped you would stand?
One open door is all it takes to lead us straight into the arms of Jesus. His welcome embrace surrounds us with the truth that we belong. We are His and He is ours!
Belonging is standing at the door knowing Jesus is on the other side. It is believing that who you are matters more to Jesus than you can imagine. The best part is that belonging is a gift that you receive and unwrap over and over because Jesus shows up and flings open the door at the same time you do.
Belonging is standing at the door knowing Jesus is on the other side. #sabbathofferings #truth Share on XToday we have the choice of resting in the truth of who Jesus says we are and embracing it with unwavering faith. This gift is ours forever and will never be taken away. We belong to Jesus forever and forever.
Sunday blessings!
Photo by Lindsey Bahia on Unsplash
If I remember correctly, God has used doors to speak to you often in your life, Mary. I love how He speaks to us, personally, through His word and makes that word come alive in our lives! How each one of us can be His #1 is a mystery I’ll never understand this side of heaven. But it is enough to know it’s true! Thank you for continuing to share from you heart, sweet friend!
It is a gift to know how God treasures us. And yes, there is something about doors, God and me. I love the mystery on the other side of the door and how God opens and closes them as we need what is on the other side. Thank you for being here. You are a blessing!
I love how the Message words those verses, Mary. As I think back, I think of the fear of opening doors to uncomfortable and unknown places, in my heart and in my life. But I have found again and again to my amazement that I stand in the wide open spaces of His grace and glory. It may be extremely difficult and we may not always see it in the midst of the struggle, but His faithful love gets us through. Thank you for helping me to look back at the Ebenezers along the way and encouraging me to trust more that God is always with us, even when we can’t see Him on the other side of the door. Love and blessings to you!
I frequently look at several versions for the verses I hope to write about. The Message version has a way of saying it in a way that mirrors my thoughts exactly. I really liked how the Message complimented what I was trying to say today in this post. I pray that in your own looking back you discover what a beautiful woman of God you are.
Mary, do much encouragement in this post but this one sentence spoke deeply … “Whether the door opens or stays shut, God is with me ready to throw open the door exactly when I need it.” He truly does lead us one step at a time. May we trust Him to position us where we need to be in this moment. Blessings!
Don’t you love the image of God on the other side of the door? He is so good at opening the door when we need t and providing whatever is on the other side. It fills me with such comfort to know this. I’m standing with you in trusting God to open the “just right” door for each of us.
Mary these thoughts fit in so well with the book I am reading now by Michelle Cushatt, “I Am.” I realize how often I have let my own flesh, or the enemy’s taunting be my evaluation of who I am. But only God can declare that. Just as you say, “Today we have the choice of resting in the truth of who Jesus says we are and embracing it with unwavering faith.” Thank you for this beautiful confirmation today! Blessings to you!
You said it all when you wrote only God can declare who we are. Amen! I imagine Michelle’s book is a good one and for some reason I think I have it stored away somewhere here at home. Thank you for sharing and spending time here today.
My #OneWord2017 was Standing, and it felt like such a breath of fresh air to me for that year. And it came to me from the verses that you shared today. Always Always Always I have defaulted to a place of scarcity, cramped quarters, and tiny faith, but God used that year to reassure me that I’m standing in a place of grace and the field is wide open and spacious. This post has felt like a refresher course in Standing!
Thank you, and so many blessings to you as we Stand tall and “shout our praise!”
It’s interesting to hear your word two years ago was “standing”. What speaks to me the most is reading how you defaulted to a place of scarcity. I understand that place and my ability to also choose faith, but immediately let it go because of my lack of self-confidence. I love how God used you that year to see the height, depth, and breadth of His love and grace. What a sweet blessing!