Introduction
Picture this. You are living in a developing country where the military government is oppressive. They do not like your family because you are from a minority ethnic group. You are an outsider simply because of a physical characteristic you did not choose. Additionally, your grandparents were converted to Christianity due to the faithfulness of Christian missionaries that came to your country. You have been faithfully following Jesus and leading a secret house church in a country where Christians are despised. This has led the military to put out a warrant for your arrest. Ultimately, after the military comes looking for you while you are at work one day, you decide to take your wife and young children and flee to the bordering country nearest to where you live. While you are there, every day is uncertain. How do I provide for my family? How long will we have to wait to find stability? Once we do find a new place to live, will the people in our new community accept us?
You might be reading this thinking “This is horrible, but this is not something I have to deal with. My home is in a peaceful country, tucked away from the harsh realities many are facing in distant lands.” While you may not be dealing with the instability of war or persecution, even in the United States, there is a growing lack of rootedness. Some may go from city to city, chasing job opportunities with no sense of commitment to a community. Many do not know their neighbors down the street. Social media, a technology initially created for connection, has led to division. And in a culture that prides itself on individualism and independence, there are increasing rates of isolation and depression. We are an affluent society where many have their physical needs met, and yet, there is a nagging feeling that all is not well. So, while there may not be the threat of physical displacement knocking at the door, many are wondering, “What does it mean to belong? What does it mean to be rooted?”
These questions are not new. To seek a home is to be human. From generation to generation, people have struggled through what it looks like to find belonging. As Christians, we believe that the Bible gives a beautiful picture of how God created us as beings that are meant for relationship. We are meant to belong to God himself. We are also meant to belong to a community of worshippers, those who strive together to work out what it means to follow a God who sought a home among his people, going so far as to condescend and put on humanity.
Throughout this devotional, we will walk through specific instances in Scripture that show what it means to find home and how ultimately humanity finds belonging in God himself. As you work your way through these devotionals, you will see that God created everything to belong to him. While our current society may preach the reality that we are the captain of our own ship, that we determine our destiny, that we are all we need, this time spent in God’s Word will remind you that as St. Augustine aptly said, “Our hearts are restless until we find rest in God”. My hope is that the reminder that we are meant for God will be a call to exemplify the welcome that God gives us to others. We will see how finding belonging in God affects the way that we respond in care to those who are vulnerable and who are seeking a place to call home.
Verse of Scripture
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1
Reflection
From the beginning of time, God has desired to shape his creation as a home for his creatures. The Creator begins by forming the earth in a way that provides space for the living creatures. The waters and the skies were formed. The seas and land were divided. Food was provided. Light was given. Notice that in the order of the forming of the world, animals were not placed in the new creation until there was a home provided for them. Everything was in its intended place, working according to God’s good design. From the very beginning, God has revealed himself to be one who provides shalom, wholeness. Wholeness comes from creation acting in accordance with God’s intended design. And part of the original design was an inherent sense of belonging. The fish are made for the sea, the birds for the air, the livestock for the fields. And as we will see later in Genesis, humanity is ultimately made for God.
Let this be an encouragement that the world was not simply created on a whim without a plan. It was created in accordance with a divine will that seeks the good of the created order. Even in this world that experiences the brokenness of creation, we can be encouraged that God created everything with a plan and with a purpose. God provides for his creation and gives good gifts to his people. Amid the pain and suffering of this present world, we are still called to seek and to be a sign of shalom, the wholeness of all creation.
Questions for Thought
What are some ways you see God’s design in nature?
How would you describe the idea of shalom?
What are some ways that you can be part of bringing wholeness to your home? Church? Neighborhood?
Prayer Prompt
God, thank you for ordering this world for our shalom, our wholeness. Help me to see your good design in the world that you have made.
Continued Scripture Reading
Genesis 1
Austin Donahoo is the Senior Church and Community Engagement Specialist for World Relief Upstate SC. In his role, he aims to educate church and community leaders about the biblical call to love their neighbors well and how they can fulfill this calling in tangible ways. He has a degree in Christian Ministry from North Greenville University and is currently pursuing his Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his family and staying involved in his local church. Austin loves specialty coffee, books, and Chick-fil-A. He is passionate about Christian theology, advocacy, and public policy.