Where do I belong?
A few weeks ago, on Facebook, I posted Lauren Daigle's You Say video with the caption "When I don't belong, YOU say I am Yours". People liked it. People said what an encouraging song this is. One friend even said You do belong! But I haven't been feeling it, not really, not for a long time.
I googled BELONG:
I am single.
99% of the time I am very content in my status
But lately, I've come to realize that I am completely surrounded by married people - my co-workers, those I worship with, the people I follow on Instagram. They're everywhere! See? Definition 2.
So it was with excitement and trepidation that I attended my very first Singles Conference, hosted by Family Life fln.org. Imagine walking alone into a place you've never seen before. Stressful stuff!
Started off with the typical bingo-type ice breaker - meet someone who rides a motorcycle; someone who loves to fish; someone who can recite the books of the bible in order; etc. The former extrovert in me loves this stuff. Current introverted-extrovert doesn't really. But I rose to the challenge and started meeting people. It turned out okay. I met, and ended up sitting by, a lady from the town across the river from me. :)
The keynote speaker for the weekend was Bob Froese, senior pastor at http://faithfellowship.us/ So practical, so down to earth. Great hockey stories to show how God works. (He's a former NHLer.) He spoke Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday night, and Sunday Morning. The conference theme was Glorious Day, Passion feat. Kristian Stanfill, so there were a lot of references to that.
Saturday lunch was surrounded by workshops - 1 before, 1 after.
In the morning session, I went to Lisa Karr's Divine Detours workshop. Except, she didn't talk about that. Instead her talk was on "LABELS".
Paraphrased: Who can put a label on something? Can I walk into your house and start putting my name on your stuff? No. The only person who can put their name on something is the manufacturer, the owner, and the purchaser. Sometimes we have labels put on us too. What labels have you been given? [people called out names] Do the people who gave you those labels have any right to do that? No. So who can label you? Who made you? Who owns you? Who purchased you? GOD! He is the only one whose labels we should wear. What label has He given you? [forgiven, loved, etc.]
Then she handed out a list of "labels" from the Bible and gave us each a Hello My Name Is tag and had us fill it out with something from the list. And every now and then, God shows us a verse that we've always known in a different light, a different context, and that makes a world of difference.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
I BELONG TO GOD!!!!! Such peace!
This. THIS is definition 1 and what I was missing.
Lunch on Saturday was "by location" so we could meet people who live near us. I made new friends that aren't super close by, but we plan to get together anyway :)
During the free time on Saturday afternoon, I had a chance to meet Lisa Karr. She is an absolute sweetheart and I'm thankful for our chat.
Saturday night was good. Sunday brunch was delish - that cherry coffee cake tho mmmmm
Sunday morning's talk was excellent and included this: "You are not single - you are part of the body of Christ. You are fulfilled in Christ." and also "God will do what is best for you however He sees fit." Such encouraging words! I'm thankful I was in attendance.
Sunday ended with about 30 of us at Denny's in Painted Post for lunch. Fun & encouraging and making future plans to get together.
God is good!
I googled BELONG:
It is a verb with 2 definitions.
1. be the property of.
2. be a member or part of (a particular group, organization, or class).
Turns out, I've been concerned with the 2nd definition and either ignoring or not realizing the 1st one. Huh.
99% of the time I am very content in my status
But lately, I've come to realize that I am completely surrounded by married people - my co-workers, those I worship with, the people I follow on Instagram. They're everywhere! See? Definition 2.
So it was with excitement and trepidation that I attended my very first Singles Conference, hosted by Family Life fln.org. Imagine walking alone into a place you've never seen before. Stressful stuff!
Started off with the typical bingo-type ice breaker - meet someone who rides a motorcycle; someone who loves to fish; someone who can recite the books of the bible in order; etc. The former extrovert in me loves this stuff. Current introverted-extrovert doesn't really. But I rose to the challenge and started meeting people. It turned out okay. I met, and ended up sitting by, a lady from the town across the river from me. :)
The keynote speaker for the weekend was Bob Froese, senior pastor at http://faithfellowship.us/ So practical, so down to earth. Great hockey stories to show how God works. (He's a former NHLer.) He spoke Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday night, and Sunday Morning. The conference theme was Glorious Day, Passion feat. Kristian Stanfill, so there were a lot of references to that.
Saturday lunch was surrounded by workshops - 1 before, 1 after.
In the morning session, I went to Lisa Karr's Divine Detours workshop. Except, she didn't talk about that. Instead her talk was on "LABELS".
Paraphrased: Who can put a label on something? Can I walk into your house and start putting my name on your stuff? No. The only person who can put their name on something is the manufacturer, the owner, and the purchaser. Sometimes we have labels put on us too. What labels have you been given? [people called out names] Do the people who gave you those labels have any right to do that? No. So who can label you? Who made you? Who owns you? Who purchased you? GOD! He is the only one whose labels we should wear. What label has He given you? [forgiven, loved, etc.]
Then she handed out a list of "labels" from the Bible and gave us each a Hello My Name Is tag and had us fill it out with something from the list. And every now and then, God shows us a verse that we've always known in a different light, a different context, and that makes a world of difference.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
I BELONG TO GOD!!!!! Such peace!
This. THIS is definition 1 and what I was missing.
Lunch on Saturday was "by location" so we could meet people who live near us. I made new friends that aren't super close by, but we plan to get together anyway :)
During the free time on Saturday afternoon, I had a chance to meet Lisa Karr. She is an absolute sweetheart and I'm thankful for our chat.
Saturday night was good. Sunday brunch was delish - that cherry coffee cake tho mmmmm
Sunday morning's talk was excellent and included this: "You are not single - you are part of the body of Christ. You are fulfilled in Christ." and also "God will do what is best for you however He sees fit." Such encouraging words! I'm thankful I was in attendance.
Sunday ended with about 30 of us at Denny's in Painted Post for lunch. Fun & encouraging and making future plans to get together.
God is good!
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