Embracing Your True Self: Living in Your Christ-Centered Identity With Jennifer SlatterySample

You belong.

After setting necessary boundaries with her abusive mother, Rachel found herself under intense attack and battling feelings of rejection. The following Sunday, her mom sent her a series of condemning texts, making it difficult for her to focus on the Lord. Rachel’s pain was intensified when her mom’s slander caused the rest of her family to withdraw from her.

Fighting tears, she sensed the Holy Spirit inviting her to notice everyone filling the pews around her. “You belong,” He said. “This is your family, and it extends far beyond this sanctuary, town, state and country.” He reminded her of the day when she’d stand in His presence, eternally bonded to brothers and sisters from every tribe, nation and tongue, completely accepted and deeply loved.

That’s our reality as well. We belong to Christ, now and forevermore. That might not eliminate the wounds we experience in this broken world or prevent us from getting hurt in the future. However, it does assure us that our pain won’t last forever. And because of our unbreakable connection with our Father, we’ll never endure our hurt alone.

Journal prompts:

How does it feel to know that you belong, eternally, to God? How might reflecting on your destiny in heaven and the perfect acceptance you’ll receive there soothe your soul when imperfect humans exclude or reject you? What might God be saying to you through today’s devotional and Bible reading?