Growing up, I remember watching shows like Leave it to Beaver and longing for a family like they had. I wanted to feel loved. I wanted to be disciplined in love. And I just wanted to feel like I belonged. I simply wanted to be a member of a family… a loving, happy family. Unfortunately when both your parents have been married 4 times each, it is hard to feel like you belong.
But I am not the only person who felt that way. It seems that, to some degree, we are all longing for a family.
With all the dysfunction, divorces, and other atrocities that are going on in families today, it is no wonder that we are longing for a family where we feel like we belong.
If we look at society, it is easy to see the worlds attempt at a replacement family. They find some sort of activity that they can do that leads to a level of camaraderie or brotherhood.
Perhaps, they drive motorcycles. Motorcyclists have a brotherhood. You don’t have to belong to their club or gang. You just have to drive a motorcycle. We’ve all seen them. Two motorcyclists, driving in opposite directions, one in his leather jacket and pony tale and the other on his Suzuki that is just an economical form of transportation. Complete strangers. Yet, they make eye contact, nod and lift two fingers off their handlebar grips to wave. Each is a member of a family… a brotherhood.
People who camp are similar. You can drive 4 hours to a place you have never been. You pull into a camp site, pitch your tent, and then take the kids down to the lake for a swim, leaving all of your valuables behind, locked tightly behind the zipper of your tent. But, no one worries about their valuables or belongings. Because campers watch out for each other. They are members of a family… a brotherhood.
Unfortunately, sometimes the things that bind us together is our sin.
Prior to knowing Jesus as my personal Savior, if I didn’t have my children with me and I wasn’t working, you could find me in a local bar that I constantly frequented. It was so familiar to me that I had to make the rounds and hug the other patrons. The bartender never had to ask what I was drinking and he even remembered not to stir it. When I walked in, peoples faces lit up and it was like going home (but without all the fighting and abuse). I was a member of a family… a brotherhood.
My description of entering the bar probably sounds almost inviting. I thought the same thing. I felt like a member of a family. But this family was no different from the one that I had at home. They drank just as much, if not more. And, if we were able to see their family life, I am sure that it would have looked very similar to my own.
This was a bar full of very nice — but very broken, hurting, and lonely — people. The wreckage of our lives was what bound us together. We were each definitely a member of a family. But I assure you, it is not one that you would desire.
There are many groups, organizations, and even social movements that people “belong to” because it makes them feel like they’re a member of a family. And some of them are doing very good and noble things.
But the enemy uses things like this to attempt to satisfy that desire that we have to be a member of a family.
God designed a family structure that will satisfy us. It will satisfy in a way that no other imitation family ever will.
God wants us all to be members of His family. And when we ask Jesus to be Lord of our lives, God becomes our Heavenly Dad. A dad who lovingly disciplines. “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” Hebrews 12:6.
But we are not only children. All those who call Christ “Lord” are a member of the family of God. We are all brothers and sisters. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” 1 John 1:12-13.
We are to do good and be kind to each other. “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15.
As siblings in Christ, we are called to help each other with our burdens. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2.
We are also called to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16.
And God wants us to spend family time together. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.
And we are called to love one another “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35. And that love that we show one another will cause others to want to be a member of the family of God.
When we follow these scriptures and treat each other as a member of the family, there is incredible love. If we do good and are kind to each other, we will feel like a member of the family. And if we confess our sins to one another and pray for each other, we will feel like a member of the family. If we spend time together and love one another, we will feel like a member of the family… God’s family.
Father God, thank You for desiring such an intimate and loving relationship with us. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the sacrifice that You made for us. The sacrifice that allowed for our forgiveness and the ability to be called sons and daughters of God. Forgive us for not loving each other the way that You loved us. Forgive us for not loving each other and supporting and praying for one another the way that You asked us to. Holy Spirit, help us to desire more time with our brothers and sisters in Christ. And help us to love each other in a way that will glorify our Father in Heaven. Bind us together, Lord. We pray this in Your precious and Holy name Jesus. Amen.
Have you tried to satisfy your desire to be a member of a family by joining clubs or social organizations? Or by sitting in a bar (like I did)? If you have an unsatisfied desire to be a member of a family, please go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer outlined there. Through this prayer, God wants to forgive you and adopt you into His/our spiritual family. Please pray. I’d love another brother or sister! Once you have prayed, please let me know so that I can be in prayer with and for you.
Luv Ya!
