Created by God and for God

Have you ever been in a place or environment where you felt like you just didn't belong, or that you didn't exactly fit in? If you have, you'll know how unbearably uncomfortable that feeling can be. I hate feeling awkward and out of place. I'm a talkative and extroverted person, but believe it or not, I can also be quite shy. In those moments where I feel lost and out of place, I just want to get up and run out the nearest exit, or wish that I had the super power of being invisible. This happened to me a lot in school, where I felt like the oddball or object of scorn. I remember a lot of incidents, but one in particular comes to mind. I had gym class with all boys. We were playing a team game and I was, of course, the last one picked. Except I wasn't picked at all! The team that got me only accepted me because they had to. It was so embarrassing! I mean, they didn't personally know me or anything about me, yet, they already rejected me, or at least I felt like they did. I can't say they were mean, but I could tell they were not very accepting either. I'm sure some just felt sorry for me, but it wasn't fair for them to judge me or reject me! It was hurtful and their non-verbal language or body language still spoke volumes even though nothing was said. Yuck! I still cringe thinking about it, and as I type this, because I can still feel that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach (imagine a green emoji puke face right here).

So why do I bring this up? I'm sorry if I brought up past memories that you thought you had forgotten, but there's a good reason. I want you to think about this because I want you to know that there is a place where you belong, somewhere that you do fit in. A place where you don't have to be perfect, rich, tall, skinny, smart, talented, or anything else. A place where you are accepted just as you are, regardless of what you've done, said, your past, your age, race, etc. It's a place where God has created you to be, somewhere you fit in perfectly...and that is in the family of God. You don't have to prove yourself, look a certain way, act a certain way, or talk a certain way. I can say this because you are God's creation. We all are. He is our heavenly Father and Creator. He has made us to be His children, and nothing can take that away from us if we accept it.

I believe that God has given us all an innate desire to belong. I believe that is why gangs and other groups are so tightly knit. These group members are faithful and loyal to one another and what they believe in. They build and thrive off camaraderie, bonds, and brother/sisterhood. Groups usually start out because of a shared interest or something in common that all the group members have. They spend time together, grow a bond, and become like family. We all want to be liked, loved, and accepted. I do, don't you? Thankfully, I have a group to help me with this desire. We meet weekly and I love it. Everyone is accepting, loving, honest, compassionate, kind, and godly. If we ever have to skip a week, we all feel so weary, beaten up, or burnt out and can't wait to come back together. We share one another's burdens, talk life-on-life, confess our sins to one another, hold each other accountable, and best of all: pray together! I don't know what I would do without my ladies. There is something about getting together and fellowshipping that revives me. I encourage you to find a life group or support group to help you as well. If you know you need this, now is not the time to be shy. It can be an exercise, book, craft, or prayer group, just look!

However, in order to be a part of God's family, you have to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. When you accept Christ, our heavenly Father adopts you and you become His child. The Bible says He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One (Ephesians 1:4-6). It is God's Will that we become his sons and daughters. We were made to belong, to be a part of God's family!

Additionally, we have been made for a purpose. Ephesians 2:10 we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. God gives meaning to our lives! We were not brought here by accident, regardless of what you or other people say and believe. Even if you were not planned by your parents, God planned for you to be here. God knew you before He formed you in your mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5). Scripture also states that we were created in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26) and that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Trust me and believe me when I say God makes no mistakes. He cannot make a mistake because He is perfect and everything He does is good. There is reasoning for everything God does, whether we can see it or not. Just believe!

Some of you are feeling like you don't fit it, even within your own biological family. But you are unique and there's no one else like you. God gave you a specific and unique thought process, skill set, talents, and abilities that no one else has. It doesn't matter if you feel like a failure. We don't always see what God sees. It doesn't matter if you didn't make team, failed the test, or were denied a position. God designed you for His Purpose and Glory. Begin asking God what your purpose is and what He created You to do. God can use anyone. Read the Bible. God didn't choose perfect people. Jesus, our Lord and Savior's lineage and family tree is made up of all types of people. They had all different backgrounds. Who cares what the world's standards or opinions are. Only God's standards are supreme and only His opinion of you matters. If you can remember one thing, remember this. If you are still alive, you still have a purpose.

Let us pray.

Oh Creator and Father,

Your Word says that everything was created by you and for you (Colossians 1:16). We praise You and do not doubt Your power and grandness, but some of us question ourselves. We've been left out, rejected, abandoned, forgotten, or neglected so we question our value, purpose, and meaning. We feel unimportant, purposeless, and meaningless. Father, help the readers to see that You have a purpose for them. Give them a new meaning to life. Breathe Your life into them. We thank You that through Jesus Christ, we can become Your children. Thank You for accepting us into Your family and giving us the inheritance of eternal life. Thank You for giving us a place to belong, a place that no one can take from us. God, bring other brothers and sisters alongside these readers so they can experience love, acceptance, fellowship, compassion, and joy. We thank You for everything Father, for You are good! In Jesus' name, amen.

Prayerfully,

Pam