Belongings of All Belongings

Scotty Smith:  A Prayer about Being Desired and Belonging to Jesus

And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Rom. 1:6
“I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me.” Song of Songs 7:10

Gracious Jesus, so much of life is about the desire and delights of belonging. From the day we offered our first cry as a newborn baby, our deep longing for attention, attachment, and affection have been patently obvious. We were born into families, and our quest to find our place in our family has been a source of incredible joy for many of us and multiplied heartbreaks for others. This same story has played out in every other relational arena in life: friendships, work, romance. Wanting to belong is a relentless and restless theme in our lives.

And yet “the belonging of all belongings” is found only in relationship with you, Lord Jesus. In the gospel we discover your heart-astonishing desire for us. How can it be that you actually want us, pursue us and enjoy us? Nothing is more humbling and thrilling. We are called to belong—not owned like a new car but connected like a new bride. Lord Jesus, you purchased us with the price of your life and your love for us is better than life.

Indeed, by the gospel we enter a relationship with you of unparalled intimacy, unbreakable security and eternal felicity. The healthiest relationships we enjoy are good gifts to be treasured, but they are only a scent and symbol of what it means to belong to you. And, because of your tender mercies and great love, our most painful and disconnected relationships don’t have to immobilize, preoccupy or define us. We can grieve our losses and bring our wounds to you. What a wonderful, merciful Savior you are, indeed.

And it’s a good thing, no, a glorious thing that belonging to you is an actual calling, and not a mere invitation. For we are too foolish and weak to come after you. We didn’t choose you, Jesus, you chose us. You subpoenaed us into an eternal life of being wanted, desired, known, loved, celebrated, and enjoyed. We believe this, but continue to free us from the depths of our persistent unbelief. Help us come more fully alive to our “belongingness” and beloved-ness in you, Jesus. As a betrothed bride in waiting, we cry, Maranatha! Even so, come Lord Jesus, come. So very Amen we pray, in your gracious and loving name.