Building Belonging in a Lonely WorldExemplo

In this short devotional series, we will consider how we can play a role in helping others feel like they belong without causing damage to ourselves. Each of the six sessions is taken from The Belonging Course, a six-session small group course on the theme of Belonging, which is free for all UK churches.

Devotion 1: Made for Connection

Every baby animal is born with what it needs to survive. Fish are born with the ability to swim. A baby zebra can run almost immediately because it might need to escape a lion. A baby gorilla has all the dexterity it needs to cling to its protective mother.

As humans, what are we born with? Our ability to cry. We are born totally reliant on our ability to communicate to another human that we need help. From the moment we emerge into the world, we’re reaching for connection with those we belong to.

The Bible often reminds us of our need for connection with God and each other; God said it’s not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18).

In John 15:5, Jesus told his disciples, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." Jesus shows us that our connection with Him is essential for a fruitful life.

In the story of Ruth and Naomi, we see the power and depth of relational connection, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you”, says Ruth to Naomi, “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.”(Ruth 1:16). Their story is a beautiful example of how belonging to each other in difficult times can inspire strength and resilience.

Given all that the Bible says about the need to belong, it should come as no surprise that disconnection and loneliness have devastating consequences. At the heart of loneliness is an absence of meaningful social interactions, a lack of feeling seen, heard, and understood, and it’s been proven to have a significant negative effect on mental and physical health. Those who feel lonely do not have the life in all its fullness that Jesus promises, so there is a mandate upon us as Christians to tackle it. But how?

Prayerfully Consider: What role is God calling you to contribute to creating a sense of belonging in your community?

For more on this, please see Session 1 of The Belonging Course.