Finding where you “belong” can be one of the most difficult tasks you’ll ever face.  It was for me, anyway.  I was (still am) different than most people.  I don’t consider myself strange or odd, just… different.  Being different actually has many advantages though.  Look at it this way, if everyone on Earth were exactly the same, the world would be a very boring place!

Most Christ followers attend church regularly, and that’s one of the places where you immediately feel that you should have no problem whatsoever finding where you belong.  Right?  WRONG!  Sometimes it is actually one of the most difficult, and that’s because you are still dealing with people, and as we’ve already established… everyone’s different.

Philippians 2:1-11
New Living Translation (NLT)

2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8     he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Take the attitude that Christ did, and don’t try to be someone that you’re not.  You’ll find your place in the world.  It may not be exactly where you dreamed of being from the start, but if you give the Lord time, you will see that He has you exactly where He wants you to fulfill His will, therefore, you are exactly where you belong.

Questions to ask yourself…

1.  Do you find yourself afraid to meet fellow Christians because of past rejections?

2.  Have you ever felt like Christ has rejected you because other Christians have rejected you?

3.  Do you feel a separation between you and Christ as you would between you and other believers?

COMPOSED BY – MARK EWING