In the heart of every individual is the question, do I belong? Am I accepted? Not only is this a common question to be asked, but it’s also an important question that can be answered! We all have that longing desire to be valued, loved, and accepted. Everyone wants to belong to something greater than themself. This emotional, spiritual, and relational longing is due to the fact that we were created in the image and likeness of God.

God, from the very beginning, has belonged to a loving family known as the Trinity. This trinity of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit reveals a perfect sense of love, relationship, value, and belonging. The Trinity, God’s desire for a loving family, extends beyond the divine. He created humans in His image, intending for us to also form families that reflect His love.

However, we rejected God’s love and His eternal family. Through our sin we became children of wrath. Yet, God’s love is so great that He adopted sinners like us into His eternal family through the perfect work of his son Jesus Christ. As the head of the family, God is determined to love and heal his children to bring them home. While we await our eternal family home in heaven, God wants us to be part of a loving, earthly family called the church — a reflection of His big, universal family.

Even if your family or friends don’t accept you, there’s no need to abide in a spirit of fear and isolation. As Romans 5:18 states, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own child — now you can call him, “Abba, Father!” When you recognize your need for Jesus, you are instantly accepted and now belong as a member in God’s forever family. With God as our father and Jesus as our big brother, we are given examples of how healthy relationships can and will flourish — relationships that love each other, forgive one another, serve their fellow brothers and sisters, and begin to see the good in every image bearer of God. 

This summer, come to Camp Shetek and enjoy your brothers and sisters of God’s eternal family. Experience the love and acceptance of the Familia de Dios in a week-long fiesta! It will be a family reunion you won’t want to miss!