Building Belonging in a Lonely WorldSample

Devotion 3: Seen, Heard and Understood

Many people feel like they don’t belong, and there can be many reasons behind their feelings. Do you know of somebody near you who might be experiencing this pain?

A homeless man was interviewed on BBC News recently, and when asked what the hardest thing he faced was, of all the answers he might have given, he actually talked about the pain and indignity of feeling unseen.

In Luke 19:1-10, we meet Zacchaeus, a wealthy yet corrupt tax collector and an outcast in society due to his affiliation with the Roman oppressors. And yet Jesus chose to honour him, publicly declaring that not only had he been seen but that Jesus would be visiting his home for a meal that evening... imagine! Jesus saw Zacchaeus, heard the cry for acceptance in the depth of his heart, and understood his deep-rooted need for connection.

How can we follow Jesus' example?

We must begin by being intentional about seeing, hearing, and understanding others; this will almost always require us to initiate a conversation. A simple smile and “hello” to communicate “I see you” might be all that’s appropriate or possible to begin with. Eventually, though, you’ll need to engage in tender conversations that might demand bravery, certainly sensitivity, and may require you to expose some of your own vulnerabilities. Listen without judgment, acknowledge and validate their feelings, and ask questions to deepen your understanding.

Prayerfully Consider: How can you use your own vulnerabilities to connect with others on a deeper level?

For more on this, please see Session 3 of The Belonging Course.