Lent Day 7… Have We Fallen Out Of Belonging?
Although we are many, we are one in Christ—and we belong to one another. —Romans 12.5
Sebastian Junger, in his fascinating book TRIBE: On Homecoming and Belonging, says:
“Modern society has perfected the art of making people not feel necessary. It’s time for that to end.
To say it bluntly, modern society seems to emphasize extrinsic values over intrinsic ones, and as a result, mental health issues refuse to decline with growing wealth. The alienating effects of wealth and modernity on the human experience start virtually at birth and never let up.”
The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis but rather the feeling of not belonging. —Mother Teresa
John O’Donohue said, “While our culture is all gloss and pace on the outside, within it is too often haunted and lost. The commercial edge of so-called ‘progress’ has cut away a huge region of human tissue and webbing that held us in communion with one another. We have fallen out of belonging.”
Perhaps this is worth pausing to consider…
Have we fallen out of belonging?
Has wealth and modernity pulled us toward things and away from one another?
How can we reverse the trend?
I am a husband, father, pastor, leader & reader. I love God, love people & love life.
Yes! I believe we can all do our small part in our own way to reverse this trend. One of my very favorite things about my job relates to this. There is an older man named Ron who comes in nearly every day to my workplace (a bar). It is possible that he does not have a home; he comes in with a few bags and several sweaters and jackets, and we’ve noticed that he probably doesn’t get to have a shower on many days. He has a couple of IPA beers each day, stays for an hour or two, and we talk about the weather a lot or his days in the military. My coworkers and I greet him by name when he comes to his usual bar stool, and we yell goodbye across the room if he leaves while we are busy elsewhere or with another customer. I feel like this part of his day may be the only time that he feels a sense of belonging, which breaks my heart. This is just one example, but I come across this a whole lot – people are longing for that sense of being connected to others – like they really matter to someone.
Pastor Brian, you are the best at this, and your commitment to making EVERY person feel like they belong and are important at NW Life is a big reason that I love our church <3
Thank you Nicole. The connection between bars and churches is striking. All too often, bars seem to be better at fostering community, friendship, even a sense of family. Your work there—particularly your interactions with Ron—is holy work. Thank you for your example… I want to be more like you
John O’Donohue’s words frequently land in the center of my heart looking for a place to grow. What a legacy he left. His call, I think, was toward an authentic life – one lived from the inside out. So much to ponder here.