But you are... a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

“As you know, all the firstborn children of each woman belong to Me. I made that clear when I killed all the Egyptian firstborn but spared Israel and its animals, setting them apart just for Me. But rather than giving all Israel's firstborn to Me, I accept the Levites as a substitute. They will be Mine. I am the Lord.” (Numbers 2:12-13)

What does it look like to belong?

We all need to belong. This is a deep need we have inside of each one of us. It means we fit and we are a part of something. It means someone cares and loves us. It means that we are accepted. We each long to belong somewhere.

We identify who we are frequently by where we belong. I belong to this family... I work and belong at this organization. I belong to this church. I belong to this group of friends....

When God took the Israelites, they now belonged to Him. They were now identified with Him and shared the same overall belief system. They followed the same overall practices and traditions. They were part of something bigger than themselves and had a sense of value for being who they were in the community.

Each one belonged to a family who then was organized to belong to a clan / tribe. For each clan, they were grouped under a banner that represented this group. It was the community / extended family's ensign that symbolized who they were at the core and who they represented.

Each clan was similar in having they same type of organizational structure and following of the law. But each clan was also different and had unique responsibilities before God. They held the same overall beliefs and were all part of one community yet they also were uniquely represented within their clan for their gifts and callings.

God made sure that each person in each family knew they had a place where they belonged. Each person had value individually and it was represented where they were identified and belonged within the community they were a part of. And most of all, they all belonged to Him. They were His people and He was their God.

To belong is to be bound to a person or group by ties of affection, allegiance and association. There is a vulnerability with belonging as we become open to others to meet our needs and to meet their needs.

It is interesting that the word “belong” is made up of two smaller words be-long. We all long (and reach in a sense) for our “be” - who we are, the true essence to be received by others. It validates us and forms us.

The Wikipedia notes the common understanding of belongingness is that it is a need to be accepted as a member of a group or community. There is a deep inherent desire to belong and be an important part of something greater than oneself. It implies relationship over acquaintance. It notes, “The need to belong is the need to give and receive affection from others.” [1]

Belonging implies being received in a close or intimate relationship. It is different than association – an organized group of people with the same interest. It is not a distant acknowledgment but genuine knowing, understanding, and receiving the other. Given this, rejection from belonging can be incredibly painful.

At the same time, where we belong or desire to belong is based upon our own preferences and values. We have no desire to 'belong' where we do not have shared values. For instance, most of us have absolutely no desire to belong to the group where they hold up signs at people's funeral that God hates them.

Some argue that belongingness is such a deep and fundamental human motivation that all of us have across cultures. And to not belong can feel devastating consequences. One notes, “If it wasn’t so fundamental, then lack of belonging wouldn’t have such dire consequences on us.” [2]

Over and over, we have seen suicides which were the result of young people not being accepted and belonging anywhere. And cults or gangs can have incredibly powerful impact on people by using a sense of belonging. People have committed suicide or performed harmful acts to stay a part and belong to a group where they have a strong sense of belonging.

Belonging feels powerful. One day maybe a few months ago, I was feeling a little lost. I told God during a worship service, I see clearly how others belong and how you make room for them. I don't know where I belong, I feel a little lost. He spoke to me so clearly, “You belong right here, next to me.” Those words meant much to me. They hit me right in the heart and I felt deeply received with a sense of belonging.

God offers that even if our father and mother reject us, He will not forsake us. He demonstrates this by our adoption. We are His children and we fully belong to Him. And as we belong to Him, we belong to each other. Romans 12:5 says, “so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Lord, help us to see where people need to feel they belong. Let us be quick to make room for, embrace and receive those around us with love and acceptance.