When I think about belonging, it is knowing that I or we are not alone. I find myself seeing images of two or more being together, a family from different viewpoints, including the generations before me and after me.
This is a beautiful reminder of the promise that we as believers receive from Christ and knowing that God in the Spirit, lives in us should be a constant reminder of how we are never alone and that we in turn belong somewhere, to someone.
Often times in life, I believe we find ourselves really lonely and at times life seems as if we are all by ourselves. We at times fall prey to the worldly thoughts, which I believe in turn shapes us into being a selfish person, to loving ourselves, and leading us back down the path of really only being lonely again. It is true that many will fall prey to this, even Christians at times. However, as a Christian or Believer, I would hope that we find ourselves alone in the flesh but with an understanding that we are really never alone. It is often easy to forget that we are not alone but as we continue to be saturated in God’s Word, Scripture reminds us John 14 that Jesus promises believers that we would not be alone, speaking of the Holy Spirit. Jesus states “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you Forever.” This is a beautiful reminder of the promise that we as believers receive from Christ and knowing that God in the Spirit, lives in us should be a constant reminder of how we are never alone and that we in turn belong somewhere, to someone.
What we do is not for our own glory or personal gain, to shine, or to be someone. It is not about a title or having a platform but doing all for His glory and His alone.
As believers, through the Word of God, we are also reminded that we are not alone but that we belong to the body of Christ. We are not alone because we have one another. As Christians, we believe in this because Scripture, reminds us in Romans 8 the adoption that we received through the Spirit. Romans 8:15-17 state, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Therefore, as one in the body, as those who are adopted, children, and fellow heirs with Christ, what we do is not for ourselves but for each other. What we do is not for our own glory or personal gain, to shine, or to be someone. It is not about a title or having a platform but doing all for His glory and His alone. It is easy to fall into a worldly concept of it’s about me or what do I gain for what I do but Scripture states in Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interest of others.” All that we do no longer is to gain anything back but is completed out of obedience to the Word of God. As we “in humility count others more significant” than ourselves, we in turn imitate Christ and show others a glimpse of what Christ did for us as believers.
Therefore, we BELONG to the Lord Almighty and to His Family made of those before us and after us.
As we continue to run this race together, especially during this time, may we always remember that we are not alone as believers. For one, the Greatest is that the Holy Spirit is with us always and the second is that through the Spirit, we become God’s children. Therefore, we BELONG to the Lord Almighty and to His Family made of those before us and after us.
Often times it is easy as sinners to forget that we belong to God and His family. Therefore, it is easy to make mistakes, feel distant, or alone. However, this is where the wonderful Gospel comes in to remind us that we are sinners doomed to eternal death. However, because God loves His Children, He gave His One and Only Son, who came to die for us, for our sins. And it is only through Christ, through believing and repentance of our sins that we can we can stand boldly, together as one body. All in all, we belong because of God.
Shannon Yang (N. Kx. Nchaiv Vaaj Yaaj)
Shannon Yang (N. Kx. Nchaiv Vaaj Yaaj) and her family live in the state of Minnesota and they are blessed with four children. She is currently serving in Alliance Bible Church located in Coon Rapids, alongside her husband Kx. Nchaiv Vaaj Yaaj, where she serves on the Worship team and alongside of the AW and the Youth & Single Adult Ministries.
Shannon is an Alumni of Crown College and during her free time, she enjoys just relaxing, family bike rides, hangouts, watching dramas, sometimes volleyball, and playing games/board games. She also enjoys singing and learning as she teaches from time to time for the women of their church.
Fun facts: She has a ton of pens and likes to collect tumblers. Her favorite place in the store is the stationary aisle looking at all the office supplies. She has traveled to South America & Asia.