“If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:8 NLT

B is for Belong

Belong—to be in the relation of a member, adherent, inhabitant, etc.

To have the proper qualifications, to be a member of a group

To be proper or due; be properly or appropriately placed, situated, etc.

Have you ever entered into a group of people and just felt like you didn’t belong? Has it ever happened to you at a church gathering? It happened to me once and to be quite honest, if a lovely lady of God had not seen what had happened, I probably would not be involved in Women’s Ministry to this day. Ladies, we need to be careful how we treat women who are coming to church or any other group for the very first time. Our response can make the difference between them growing or dying.

If you happen to have been one of those women who didn’t feel like they belonged, I would encourage you to give it another try. All women have a right to belong to the family of God. Jesus paid for us all and that includes you! It will take some forgiveness and courage to go back, I know, but there is nothing like a great fellowship with sisters in the Lord. You have giftings, experience and insight that are much needed for the body of Christ to function properly, and other women will have much to impart into your life as well.

“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” Romans 12:4-5NLT

Let us all become more like children and accept one another like Jesus did.

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.’” Matthew 19:14 NLT

Precious Jesus, please forgive us when we have made someone feel as if she didn’t belong to our group, and help those we have hurt forgive us, too. May we endeavor to make all women feel like they belong to the family of God. Amen.