Notes on Hope Devotional

Belonging

Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)
But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Over the summer, I traveled and had to check a bag at the airport. As I stood at the carousel waiting for my bag, I observed the luggage descending on the belt. Most of the luggage looked the same: black, gray, and blue. I watched as people grabbed for their luggage, leaning forward to see if the bag had their name on it. They were looking for what belonged to them.

We all are born with a need to belong, to be seen, heard, loved, and known. Throughout our lives, we are on a quest to fulfill these needs. This verse from Isaiah speaks to our identity, not just who we are, but Who we belong to. We are not just known; we are spoken for. We are called by name. We belong.

Several contrasts come to mind when we consider this. For some of us, we were given abusive messages containing vile language, spoken during episodes of rage that left us shell-shocked and broken. The rest of us were given an empty slate, and we filled in the blanks with “less than,” “not good enough,” and “can’t get it quite right.” Riding sidecar came the feelings of doubt, shame, inadequacy, and a deep sense of worthlessness.

How we hear the words, “I have summoned you by name,” completely overturns our inaccurate sense of self! In his book, “Abba’s Child,” Brennan Manning says, “It is God who called us by name. The God beside whose beauty the Grand Canyon is only a shadow called us beloved. The God beside whose power the nuclear bomb is nothing has tender feelings for us.”

Whoa, stop the train!! Let’s get off and get this right. The God of all Creation loves us. Doesn’t just put up with us, like us sometimes, or tolerate us. But truly, totally, absolutely, over the top, thinks we are worthy, valued, and special! Sit down and consider it. Don’t brush it off. Let it simmer, stew, and sit in your mind till it goes down to your soul. You are spoken for, called by name, and known and loved. Let’s take His Word for it.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for calling me by name. Thank you for the reality of belonging to You. Help me accept, receive, and embrace my “belongingness” and live out the reality of being your child.
In Your Precious Name, Amen.