We Belong to God

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
1 Peter 2:9

Pat Benatar’s old song We Belong has kind of been rolling around in my head lately. I say kind of because it’s really just a bit of it – mostly part of the chorus has been running through my head. Perhaps you are familiar with it “We belong to the light, we belong to the thunder, we belong together.” Doesn’t that sound like the relationship we should have with God?

In this week’s passage Peter reminds us that we have been chosen, that we are a people who belong to God and that our job is to praise the One who called us into His wonderful light. Personally, I love that I belong to God, it gives me peace to know that I belong in His kingdom especially during times when I might feel like I don’t belong anywhere else. Do you ever feel like you don’t belong, that you are alone and maybe wandering in the dark?

Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension makes the way clear for us to belong to God, when we acknowledge the sin sickness of our souls and our need for the saving grace offered to us by Jesus. Once the decision has been made to turn from our worldly ways in favor of Kingdom living – God’s wonderful promises surround us, supporting us even in the midst of some of the terrible storms that life on this planet throws at us. In the opening verses of John’s Gospel, John tells us that Jesus who is God had brought His light into the world and it is a light so bright, so pure and so powerful that the growing darkness of this world will not snuff it out. So when dark situations descend on our lives, as we stand on His promises and rely on Him – His light will prevail bringing us peace, comfort and a profound sense of belonging.

With this sense of belonging comes purpose and responsibility. Peter says we are members of a royal priesthood, that means we are called to care for one another and for those around us who are on the fringe of the community – people who need a place to belong.

All of this leads us to a place where the praise of God, His light, His Kingdom and His saving grace should just flow freely from the very center of who we are and who we are becoming.

I belong to the light, I belong to the thunder, I belong to God. Do you belong to God? Let him choose you so we can belong to God together.

A Prayer
Father – Thank you for sending Your Son into the world as the Light of the world. Thank you that His life, death, resurrection and ascension opens the way for us to belong to You. Show us the places in our lives that need to be healed of sin sickness. Healed may we be counted worthy to be part of Your royal priesthood. Help us to love one another and the people around us the same way You have loved us. May our praises for you ever be on our lips. In the name of Jesus, who paid the price so we can belong to God – Amen.