Belonging.
The quote is from Henry Nouwen.
Spiritual identity means we are not what we do or what people say about us.
And we are not what we have.
We are the beloved daughters and sons of God.
Meditation.
Sometimes life just gets to be too much.
Sometimes the conflicts around us try to swallow us.
We may feel exhausted,
Torn,
Anxious and worried about how we will conquer and navigate all the demands.
When my job tries to define me,
When my family's needs seem endless,
Or when nothing I do seems to be good enough,
It helps to be still and remember whose I am.
I'm created and formed by the one who loved me from the very beginning.
I'm called by name.
I'm set free from judgment and from concern about my value and worth.
I'm invited not to be afraid,
No matter what the outcome.
I am not alone.
I belong.
I belong to the one who created me and who wants to set me free over and over again.
Free from expectations.
Free from judgments.
Free from anxiety and fear.
Can I take a few moments today to be still and to remind myself that no matter what happens,
I belong to the one who created and loves me.
The Bible verse I want to read is Isaiah 43,
Verse 1.
But now,
Thus says the Lord who created you and he who formed you,
Do not fear,
For I have redeemed you.
I have called you by your name.
You are mine.
I'm saying a prayer.
God,
When the going gets tough or I feel I don't have enough support and that I'm all alone in tackling the demands of my day,
Remind me of your words that you gave through Jesus to us.
Remind me that you know my name.
Remind me that you see me and know me intimately.
You say,
Do not be afraid,
For you are mine.
Thank you that I belong,
No matter what.
Thank you that I do not walk this walk alone.
Amen.
