Hi folks, I trust you are ok? This week we are meeting in the Brewery in Whitley Bay at 7.30pm. I hope you can join us.
This week we are looking at a Question of belonging… This can be challenging as it explores what it means for us to be accepted. A sense of belonging is a human need we all experience at different levels. It helps us find value and cope when things hit the fan! When you ‘see’ your connection to others, you recognise that all people struggle and have difficult times. You are not alone. There can be a sense of comfort in that knowledge.
Now of course there are many ‘places’ where belonging can be found; faith communities, families, work situations and friends, to name but a few. And yet there are many that struggle to belong and feel accepted. And there are situations where belonging means we exclude others. We are even more connected than ever before because of social media and our modern age, and yet there is still a deep sense of loneliness, struggle and anxiety within our communities.
During the pandemic we experienced a sense of loss as we navigated the realities of not being able to properly connect with family and friends and many struggled as they craved connection.
Now of course some people thrived in that space when they didn’t have to navigate the realities of social anxiety, or they were very happy in their own skin and thrived.
When we ponder on this sense of belonging and connect it to faith, spirituality and the bible we are reminded that the divine story is about our connectedness to the other… or God if you would prefer that way of thinking. We read all kinds of beautiful poetry about being know by name, neither slave nor free, the Lord is near all who call on him, nothing can separate us from the love of God… I could go on! There is a deep sense that ‘the divine’ wants connection with the created order and particularly with us humans.
We are also reminded that we were made to be in relationship with each other, that is what the church is about – its about people! (although sometimes we forget that). We are often told that it’s difficult to be a person of faith without community, if i’m honest i’m not convinced by that, although I do recognise that flourishing can happen in faith communities. But i am also aware of the difficulties and conflicts that occur in those spaces. But maybe that is the reality of all communities when we rub shoulders with each other.
This sense of belonging can also be experienced in a lesser sense when we participate in the world, chatting to neighbours, giving someone a smile as you walk past, saying hi to the cashier in the shop. And of course we also have a relationship with and a sense of belonging to the soil, planet and the universe as a whole.
To help us ponder on this some more, have look at these quotes:
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. Mother Teresa
Although I am a typical loner in my daily life, my awareness of belonging to the invisible community of those who strive for truth, beauty, and justice has prevented me from feelings of isolation. Albert Einstein
Those who have a strong sense of love and belonging have the courage to be imperfect. Brené Brown
You cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it. Grace Lee Boggs
Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well. Voltaire
Nothing of me is original. I am the combined effort of everyone I’ve ever known. Chuck Palahniuk
If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or objects. Albert Einstein
Your actions are your only true belongings. Gautama Buddha
We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect. Aldo Leopold
“The heart of the matter: You should never belong fully to something that is outside yourself. It is very important to find a balance in your belonging.” John O’Donohue
Some questions:
In what fictional story, book or movie have you seen belonging played out?
In what situation have you felt you belonged the most?
In what sense do you agree or not that belonging is a human need?
Even though we are more connected than we have ever been, why do you think belonging is so difficult?
What is you experience of belonging in faith communities?
What does belonging mean when it comes to the divine? Do you recognise it?
What does it mean for us to ‘belong’ to the planet/universe?
Which of the quotes resonate with you? Which don’t?
Peace Rob
Image by Marjon Besteman from Pixabay
Rob Wylie is the founder of BeachcomberFX and guides its leadership team. He has worked in the North East for over 20 years and has vast experience from various roles he has held. He has a passion for Fresh Expressions of Church and Pioneer Ministry as well as beer, beaches and Miniature Schnauzers.