I only have a moment to blog... off to a meeting... but I want to take with me a thought from Henri Nouwen. He talks about being "nonpossessive" about life. He says that life "is a gift to be grateful for and not a property to cling to." I would say that's true of everything and everyone within this life as well. He further says that "A nonpossessive life is a free life." How true that is!
But here's the point he goes to... which is what is ruminating in me. Henri says:
But such freedom is only possible when we have a deep sense of belonging. To whom then do we belong? We belong to God...
Belonging... what a central concept... and what a central need. Fully belonging to the One, frees me to let go of the rest.
How I need that deep sense of belonging. Never felt it growing up, not at home, not at school, not out in the world. I found a false belonging amongst friends who were bonded by the need to get high and escape... but not a true bond. Later I thought I had found it among certain people, among Christians, among people I was "in ministry" with. But human relationships, however important or close they may be, can never fill that deep need for belonging. How eaaasy it is, without it, to become clingy in the wrong way to people, things, projects, outcomes, etc., etc.
Belonging... a deep sense of belonging in my God... deep sense... feeling it... will be reflecting on this!
(Inner Journey is an interactive daily devotional. Feel free to post comments!)
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