We Belong

How much do you exude belongingness? A simple mind exercise is to picture yourself sitting with the variety of people whom you will interact with over the coming day or week. How easy is it to say in a generous way, “we belong”? Exuding belongingness means that we provide a welcoming space for people just as they are. We belong because we are here together. We may not think the same way or like the same things but because of our mutual humanity, we belong. We offer hospitality through providing a safe place of connection. One of the key roles we have in life, in our families, in our places of learning and work and in the broader community is to be generous in our belongingness.

Having a mindset of belongingness opens doors for effective communication, strong connections and deep growth. Being in a safe place means that people can respond positively to higher expectations. Even when people hurt us, God calls us to reach out and ‘love our enemies’ instead of seeking revenge. We are not pulled into the jungle of negative emotion but stay firmly in the space of respectful connection, recognising our own ‘wartiness’. Seeing ourselves as living in relationship with a loving gracious God at the foot of the cross, means there is plenty of space for belonging around us.