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Devotional
CONNECTION HOME
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October 13, 2026

My People

October 13, 2026 by CARISSA JOY STRUM BELONGING Finding community Feeling known & understood Isolation & loneliness Lack of “home” Discouragement
My People
  • by CARISSA JOY STRUM
  • Comment
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”
Matthew 9:10-13

Group chats. Saved seats. Inside jokes. These things, while fun, can be exclusive and produce a “you don’t belong” feeling in my stomach. Throughout my life, I’ve frequently felt on the outside of circles and friend groups. Just when I start to feel comfortable or like I’m getting close with people, I move or circumstances change and square one is staring me in the face again. In my head, I know that I’m not supposed to belong to this world and that I don’t need to have the perfect friend group to have solid community…but my head knowledge doesn’t translate to my gut feelings that well.


That’s why I love today’s passage so much. Jesus comes to earth, and instead of fitting in with the religious gurus of the day, He welcomes real, needy people to follow and learn from and do life with Him. In fact, Jesus tells His disciples: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19) Our feelings of not belonging, while painful, can point us to Jesus and remind us that we are His disciples and no one else’s.


C.S. Lewis puts it better than I ever could: “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” What if we let go of the need/desire to belong to this world, and instead focused on the fact that Jesus welcomes us into His eternal Kingdom?


This doesn’t negate the fact that people sometimes hurt and exclude us. This can cause real pain – especially in the church. However, we can experience that pain with Jesus, from a place of belonging in Him, instead of from a place of isolation. We can respond from a place of strength and belonging in Christ instead of from having our whole identities shaken.


Today, whether you’re with tons of friends or all alone, you belong to Jesus. As a daughter of God, you are forever His and are forever a part of His people, surrounded by those witnesses who have gone before you (Hebrews 12:1) and permanently part of God’s family. You belong.

Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You that we belong to You. We are so grateful for Your loving embrace and permanent welcome into Your family. We praise You that, as Your daughters, our names are written in Your book of life! We ask for Your Spirit to remind us that we belong to You when we are feeling excluded or disconnected here on earth. Please fill us with Your grace, so that we can extend Your welcome wherever You place us. We pray for community that is centered on You. We love and praise You in the saving name of Jesus! Amen.
Resources
Book: When Strivings Cease by Ruth Chou Simons Ruth Chou Simons is an incredible author and artist. I’ve found her podcast (“The Ruth Chou Simons Podcast”) and other books (including “Beholding and Becoming”) challenging and encouraging. This book helped teach my heart that I do not have to keep striving to belong to God, but that I can rest in my identity as His daughter. Chapter 6 is especially relevant to the topic of belonging and begins (on page 75) with this quote from the Heidelberg Catechism: “I am not my own, but belong- body and soul, in life and death- to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.” I hope this book encourages you as it has encouraged me!
Video series: Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio https://louiegiglio.com/book/dont-give-the-enemy-a-seat-at-your-table/ (book) My women’s Bible study went through the video series that accompanies Louie Giglio’s book, and I was so encouraged by the way that Louie walks through Psalm 23 with a focus on how we belong at the table of God.
Scripture: Isaiah (closing chapters) I’ve been reading through Isaiah, and the closing chapters have brought me to tears by how powerfully they showcase the love and compassion of God in redeeming His people. My ESV study Bible describes Isaiah 65:1-25 as “The Eagerness of God for His People’s Eternal Joy” (ESV Study Bible, Crossway, p. 1357). Let these words of truth wash over you as you rest in the fact that, through Christ, God calls you His own forever.
Question for Reflection

Who can you reach out to this week to cultivate a sense of belonging? Maybe this is someone who needs to feel like they belong, or perhaps it’s someone who makes you feel right at home and points you to the Lord. Pick someone and reach out to them (can be as simple as a call, text, or walk)! If you aren’t sure who this could be, maybe reach out to a local church or even connect with others through this ministry of Thrive!

Comments
Carissa Joy Strum
October 13, 2026

I want to reach out to a friend from college who has been intentional in our friendship and who reflects the care of God. She lives far away, so I think we’ll schedule a Facetime coffee date!