I Don't Belong Here

Have you ever gotten the feeling like you don't belong where you are? Maybe it's with a group of friends. Everyone is laughing and having fun, but you get the feeling like you'd rather be somewhere else. Welcome to the world of a Christian, living in "The World."

As near as I can figure, it's because you and I have been set apart for a different purpose.

"Be holy for I am holy." - 1 Peter 1:16

And what does "holy " mean in a Biblical context? It means 'set apart.'

We can feel incredibly alone at times. It's better, in a way, to be totally alone than being surrounded by strangers. Know what I mean?

Do you know why that is? Why we feel so alone, even when we're not? It's because we don't belong here.

Do you have a very close friend? Someone you can trust? Why do we feel so comfortable with them? Similar political views? Similar life experiences? Some kind of special bond?

In the song linked below the words 'I don't belong here' are repeated over and over again. A good reminder for us as we walk through this place.

"We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 5:8

At the same time though, we can feel quite at home with our brothers and sisters in Christ. That's because they are our NEW family. We have common thoughts and experiences. A common love for our Savior. The common bond of love.

When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth he said, "I wish that all of you were as I am" - 1 Corinthians 7:7

Paul was speaking about being single, as opposed to being married. Perhaps if we took that opening verse from 1st Peter and tweaked it a bit we could better understand God's meaning for us as we live in today's world.

"Be lonely for I am lonely."

We are supposed to feel alone here because this is not our home. But we don't have to STAY lonely. That's one of the benefits of a church family. Go to church and find a family you belong with. A family who loves you.

Visit a friend you haven't seen in a while. Hours will fly by like minutes. Why? Because your 'at home' with them. Give them a hug and hold on for a while.

The Beautiful Letdown - Switchfoot