Growing up, I often felt alone, like an outsider looking in. The sense of not being liked or accepted by others was a heavy burden on me, and I learned to be afraid of being known. I thought if you got to know me, you would reject me, laugh at me, and abandon me.
When I was a teenager, I heard a Christian musician talk about how Jesus wanted to spend time with me. It hit my heart, and I knew I wanted to know God that way. But it still took years before I started living as if I didn’t have to try and earn that acceptance from God.
I truly believed His holiness meant I needed to perform to maintain His pleasure toward me. I was believing lies about God and myself. I know I am not the only one who has struggled with this. These following verses fight against those lies to solidify how much God wants to be with you.
1. When Jesus Finds Me, He Rejoices
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.” – Luke 15:4-7
I love this thought of Jesus joyfully putting me on His shoulders. He doesn’t find me and then reprimand me for walking away. He rejoices that He has found me.
I got lost a lot as a kid. Every time I was reunited with my parents, I was lectured about the importance of staying with the family. I understand their response because it was difficult going places and having to watch over me. I’m sure I also did this to my kids. However, it left me feeling like a burden or a frustration. I never felt sought after or rejoiced over when found.
This verse brings me so much healing because God will chase me down. He wants me to be with Him. He is not expecting me to change for Him to be happy with me. He just likes me as me.
This allows me to freely love Him and give my true self to Him. He can redirect those things in me that are off and increase those areas that are pleasing. It allows me to be even more freely me in the way He initially created me to be.
2. When Jesus Finds Me, He Celebrates
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’” – Luke 15:8-10
This is also encouraging as God doesn’t use our mistakes to show others how bad we are. He doesn’t go around telling people how terrible I am. Instead, when He finds us, He gathers people around to celebrate our return. He is so happy that He wants others to join in His joy.
When I started to be fine with God forgiving me, I would hesitate to share my struggles with others because I felt they would judge me. God is saying that those who see you as I see you will celebrate with me over your return. His love is so safe and protective.
3. When Jesus Finds Me, He Doesn’t Make Me Beg
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:11-32
Beg may not connote this thought correctly. In the Old Testament, the Law required certain steps to be followed for you to get ritually clean. Forgiveness seemed to be a process.
The story of the Prodigal Son is completely different. The son didn’t even get out his confession. While he was still a long way off, his father came running, hugged him, and put his sign of pleasure on him.
Sure, sin has negative consequences, but God never changes how He feels about me, His son. And, He never changes how He feels about you. You will always be received.
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4. Jesus Promises to Always Be With Me
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20
This promise attacks the feelings I had of being alone. I may have felt alone, but He was always with me. Even before I received Jesus in my heart, He was always there. There has never been a time I could have left His presence (Psalm 139:7-8). And now, after receiving Jesus, He has taken up residence inside of me. He is in me, and I am in Christ.
As I was dating my wife, I just wanted to be as close as possible to her. I wanted to be with her, near her, even next to her. My love for her was not greater than what God has for me. He wants to be with me because He loves me. He died on the cross that I may be with Him (1 Peter 3:18).
5. Jesus Promises to Always Help Me
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
God is not only with me; He wants to help me succeed at all He has called me to do. He doesn’t call me to things, then walk off. He calls us to do impossible things because He wants us to rely on Him to help us accomplish them (John 6:5-11). And He is there, ready and willing to help and loves when we have faith in Him.
God’s help is available to move us forward and to protect us from life’s storms. He comforts us and gives us comfort for others. If anyone serves, let it be with the strength God provides (1 Peter 4:11).
Conclusion:
I worded most of this article to reflect how God feels about me, but He also feels that way about you. You are significantly important to Jesus. You were the joy set before Him that helped Him endure the suffering of the cross (Hebrews 12:2). He wants you to know the joy He has for you.
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t belong or that no one truly cares, I encourage you to meditate on these verses. Let them live in your mind, sink deep into your heart, and transform your understanding of God’s love for you. You are never alone. God is always with you, eager to embrace you, guide you, and rejoice over you. Embrace this truth and let it bring you peace, joy, and a renewed sense of belonging.