Back Roads To Belonging By Kristen StrongSample

Kristen Strong: Back Roads to Belonging Devotional Day 3

“Trust Your Worthiness in Christ”

Scripture reading: Colossians 2:6-15

You have the right to exist in this world. You have the right to be a real part of God’s plan for you in your family and community. You can enthusiastically show up for your assignment instead of apologetically shrinking from it. You can courageously own the present and future gifts you hold from God with you and Christ in you. Let that lead you back to the gospel, again and again. 

I know as much as anyone how hard it is to kick insecurity out the back door. But when we commit to tackling it on a case-by-case basis, we are able to take each individual issue to Jesus and trade our insecurity for the security found in God’s favor. We’re able to practice self-compassion and kindness by refusing to treat ourselves like our own enemy.

We can be an advocate for ourselves as we talk about ourselves with a different vocabulary, believing we’re worth the effort. So go ahead and don’t worry about taking the time to put your wallet back in your purse before you leave the checkout aisle. Believe that if you relaxed and didn’t carefully choose all your words, your people would still love you. Just wave away that lie that whispers you’re too much when you laugh too loud, talk too long, or cry too often. Just turn your back on that feeling that shouts you’re not enough when you listen long, share little, or stay where you are.

Let yourself be loved in your most tender places by the One who knows you best and loves you best. Be kind to yourself by refusing to apologize for yourself, by being the singularly treasured gift you are to this world. And let yourself confidently walk forward with a deeper sense of belonging as you relax and settle in to where God has you today.

As Colossians 2:10 says, in Christ we have been brought to fullness. We are already complete. For this reason, we can find confidence to take the road less traveled to where God wants us to be. 

If God is for me, who can be against me?

May it not be me.

Belong blessing: May you delight in the place God has for you, knowing he offers his best for you.