It’s no secret; it’s difficult to live in another country. There are days when self-pity engulfs you, frustration takes over, and your patience wears thin. Days when your strongest desire is to be understood, but language barriers stand between you and the closest people to you. Days when you just don’t understand how the nationals can act this way or that, and their actions cause you to grumble and complain and judge. Days when ministry needs are too great for the insufficient amount of energy you can give; and you raise your hands in exasperation as you collapse on the sofa, ready to give in to the negative emotions that are bursting inside. 

It’s those days that it seems like everything and everyone around you is screaming, “You don’t belong!”  

And you find yourself at a crossway. The first road is the road of misery, saturated with thoughts of “never fitting in” and “never belonging.” The second is the road of Truth, where you can join the Israelites and shout for joy because “The Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His, His people...”  

Because, truth is, there is no distinction now between American or Ukrainian or Central Asian or African, “between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.” Romans 10:12 

If you’ve called upon His name, Christ has welcomed you. You are accepted into a family much larger and more diverse than anything your eyes have ever seen. You are His. 

But it doesn’t stop there. Your acceptance into His family gives you the humility and understanding to invite others to join. It motivates you to gather your courage and let the Spirit work through you to tell others about the open arms of the Savior. It drives you to share the Good News with the people whose skin color differs significantly and whose worldview contrasts greatly with yours. 

You belong. That’s reason enough to shout for joy, no matter where you are.