Have you ever felt like you don’t belong? I’m not talking about not fitting in … I mean being part of something that feels too good to be true.
To be honest, I feel like that every single day of my life. My family, church congregation, and workplace are precious communities that welcome, nurture, and edify me. I am often overwhelmed with kindness, encouragement, and truth that I know I don’t deserve.
Someone once informed me about the imposter syndrome, characterized by doubting competency and feeling phony. We feel like we’re fooling others into thinking we’re better than we actually are … But that itself is also a masqueraded trick.
An honest self-evaluation reveals my weakness, brokenness, and sinfulness. I am so sure I’m one mistake or misstep away from being disowned, kicked out, or let go.
The devil is devious with his twisted lies. God, on the other hand, is Truth.
Frankly, I am weak, broken, and sinful. I’ve made plenty of mistakes and will continue to. I don’t deserve to be where I am.
But the grace of God surmounts all of that.
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy.”
– Titus 3:3-5
God is the source of every good thing (James 1:17). He initiates, multiplies, and determines everything that ever exists … and chooses those who belong to Him.
There are no imposters in the family of God.
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
– Ephesians 2:19
We are personally invited.
“Those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom he justified He also glorified.”
– Romans 8:30
God’s Provision: God repeatedly displays His power in commissioning and accompanying His saints. As He did with Moses and Jeremiah, so He does with us.
“Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.”
– Exodus 4:11-12
“But the LORD said to me, ‘… all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak… Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.’”
– Jeremiah 1:7, 9
Our God is in the habit of calling feeble folks and using uneducated underdogs. If He is drawn to weak, broken, unqualified people, then by that standard, I’d say I am well qualified!
Word of the Week: Unparalleled. There are hardly words to describe God’s work. There is truly nothing like belonging to Him!
Abby
