Where I Belong

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19–22 NIV

Remember what it was like when you first met someone you wanted to know better? You found yourself looking forward to seeing them again, wondering what they were doing, and hoping they might be thinking about you too. A conversation that lasted longer than expected could make your whole day. Even the simplest things seemed more enjoyable when you were together. You weren't thinking about where the relationship might lead or what you might eventually give up. You simply knew there was something special about this person, and you wanted to discover more. You couldn't wait for the next time you'd be together.

That longing to know someone and be known in return carries a quiet hope that the relationship will last. That's the change in how Paul, an early follower of Jesus, speaks about our relationship with God. He says we are “no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household” (Ephesians 2:19, NIV). Those words, “no longer,” are worth lingering over. We may have wondered whether God could ever feel that close or permanent, whether we could have a lasting place with him. But Paul speaks of a belonging that doesn't have to end. We aren't merely hoping that someday God might want us near.

Paul takes us somewhere even more personal. He says we are becoming “a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22, NIV). There's something comforting about that word, “lives.” Love doesn't always come with the excitement we felt when a relationship first began. Some days we feel deeply loved. Other days we may hardly think about it. Yet the relationship hasn't disappeared because the feeling has grown quiet. And here is something wonderful about belonging to God. His presence isn't measured by how strongly we feel it. He has chosen to make his home with us.

There's another beautiful detail in Paul's picture. He says we are “joined together” (Ephesians 2:21, NIV). Our relationship with God is deeply personal. There's something wonderful about being alone with him, but his invitation reaches further. He gives us people to share that life with, to know and enjoy as we grow closer to him. John puts it beautifully. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another” (1 John 1:7, NIV).

What a difference it makes to know we can belong to God. We don't have to wait until we feel closer to him or understand him better. He's inviting us into the home he has already made for us. And that means an ordinary day can hold more than we might expect. Even the moments we usually hurry through might become times when we find ourselves enjoying his company. Could the closeness we've been longing for be something we don't have to wait for after all?

Prayer

Father, thank You for wanting me near You. Help me know You better and discover more of Your love. Draw me closer so I can enjoy the life You're inviting me to share in Your family. Amen.