Hebrews 13:13-14 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

Verse 15 was referenced very often when I was first introduced to the Charismatic Movement, but I don’t remember any messages on these two verses! We all like to be part of the “in crowd,” accepted and affirmed by those around us. Within the Church body that should be happening, for the most part at least, but in society, not so much. This can be a real obstacle for some people, because the desire to be accepted is natural and strong. However, everyone in the New Testament, from Jesus on, tells us that’s not something we can count on at all. As Paul put it, “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:29) That meshes perfectly with what is written here. We indeed need to belong, to be part of a larger group, but we need to be very careful what group to consider. A twisted example of this is gangs. Young people without strong families are tempted by gangs precisely because they aren’t anchored, with a father and mother who set appropriate boundaries for them. The same thing may be said of young people in affluent societies who go off to college and are seduced by teachers and ideas that violate Biblical principles. The family is our first group. No family is perfect, but some hardly qualify for the name of family. The salvation for that is the family of God. None of us comes from a perfect family, and certainly none of us live in a perfect society, but a healthy church is a marvelous remedy for all that. It is when we really discover God as Father that we discover our brothers and sisters in Christ, and the issue of belonging is solved. No local church is perfect either, for that matter, but it certainly can and should be far better than any of the alternatives!

Belonging has always been an issue for me, as I think it is for most people. Growing up as a Caucasian in Japan I was automatically excluded from many groups, and as a Missionary Kid in a U. S. Air Force dependents school, I didn’t exactly fit in there, either. My real healing in this area started with my wife really accepting me, and I have grown increasingly secure ever since. My experiences with local churches have been varied, but I am very grateful for the family I currently have in this church. At the same time, I indeed look forward to the City that is to come, as this passage says, where and when all these issues will be forgotten.

Father, thank You for accepting me and making me part of the Body of Christ. May I fulfill all of Your purposes for me in this role, so that others too may belong to You fully, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!