6.30.23 - Psalm 9:15-16
Beliefs, words and ideas meant to build belonging become symbols of hatred and Nationalism. What do you need to set down or pick up today to reclaim belonging for yourself and others?
The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught. The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgement; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.
The belonging impulse in humans is intense. From the moment we take our first breath until we release our last, many of us are driven largely by the need to belong.
When someone truly values who you are becoming, you can trust them not to take advantage of this essential longing.
Unfortunately, there are also those who unhealthily engender false senses of belonging through such nefarious tactics as scapegoating and nationalism, which ultimately ignores the deeper realities of both God and people.
The deception of Nationalism is that it uses symbolism to lull people into relational complacency giving them the false sense that if they embrace the symbols it is equal to connecting to God and people.
But, this is how enemies are made. Because symbols become larger than life, we often lose ourselves in the allure until God–who is the Source of all true belonging–disrupts the narrative.
Have you ever witnessed how the belonging impulse has been used to manipulate people? Has it happened to you or someone you love?
-- Pedro Silva