The In-Between Place: A 7-Day Reading Plan With Kat ArmstrongSýnishorn

Even When You Feel Like an Outsider, You Always Belong with Jesus

As long as I can remember, I’ve struggled to feel like I belong to God and to his people. Although this angst has not kept me from growing in my faith or serving Christ’s church, the internal arguments I have with myself about my place in this world often distract me. 

I, and I’d guess you, too, need to embrace belonging at face value and get on with God’s work. This is easier said than done, though—especially when we find ourselves in in-between places. When I am in the middle of a work transition or major life change, my inner critic starts shouting so loudly that it’s hard to concentrate on loving God and loving others.

Countless conversations with people have led me to believe that a lot of us feel like outsiders. Sometimes, our feeling of not-belonging starts with a single comment from our parent that cuts us to the quick and leaves a scar we bear daily. Sometimes it comes from being let go from a job, enduring a miscarriage, or experiencing an empty nest that makes us feel as if we are no longer in the majority, part of the club, or enjoying the inside. Feelings of exclusion have devastating effects during important decisions, such as searching for a job, enduring IVF treatments, or choosing to homeschool our kids.

From your viewpoint, you might be on the outside looking in. But, contrary to what our circumstances might be communicating to us, no one and nothing can keep us away from God’s love. You, my friend, belong—even when you feel like an outsider.

I’m convinced that some of our in-between places in life can feel so isolating that they leave us wondering if we are any good to anybody. I’m here to remind you, and myself, that Jesus’ countercultural methods mean that no one gets left out of his mission. You are not disqualified from participating in building the kingdom with your gifts, talents, and treasures because of your age, stage, title, relationship status, race, gender, or class. Anywhere God is at work, men and women belong. And the beautiful thing is, he is everywhere.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for embracing me and welcoming me into your family. Help me to remember how much you love and accept me for who I am. Amen.