You belong!
Jesus loves you so much he invites you to be with him...and you belong.
For many years, our denomination did not allow children to participate in Communion (the Eucharist / Lord’s Supper) until they had made a public profession of their faith, usually sometime in their teens. Several years ago, the denomination changed this and encouraged churches to have special classes for the children. talking to them about the bread and the juice, how it represents Jesus’ body and blood, and our celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection. After the instruction, the children were scheduled to join in our next communion service. A young mother told me that the Saturday night before that first service of communion including children, as she was tucking her little son (maybe 5 or so) into bed, he said, with a huge smile, “I’m invited!!” He knew, he was excited, he couldn’t wait, he was invited to the table. We all love being invited!
When my daughter reached second grade she was thrilled that it meant she was old enough to be in the girls’ club at our church called Calvinettes. When I drove her to the first meeting, she jumped out of the car to greet her best friend with the joyous statement, “I’m a Calvinette!” Her friend answered, “So am I!” They were both beaming.
Belonging brings us joy. We belong to each other as family, friends, co-workers, schoolmates, brothers & sisters in Christ, and more. And we belong to God.
Jesus loves you so much he invites you to be with him...and you belong.
Even when I was quite a young child, my favorite Bible verse was Romans 14:8, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.“ I don’t know why -- because I had a happy childhood that did not include any extraordinary exposure to people dying -- but I was always quite conscious that I or people I knew could die any moment. I even tried to make sure that I would say “I love you,” or words that conveyed my love, whenever I said good night or good bye to someone I cared about, because I always thought, “This could be the last time I talk to them.” Romans 14:8 and its reassurance that no matter what, alive or dead, I belonged to Jesus gave me great comfort. I knew that even if it was the last time we spoke to someone, it wasn’t the end. We would both be in Jesus.
May you have that same comfort: You belong to the Lord.
What can I pray about for you?
If you would like to send me specific prayer requests, email me at mavis at moonfamily.cc. I'll keep all communication confidential.