Day 14 Belonging [S01:E14]

In this devotional from 21 Days of Prayer & Meditation, Anthony Skinner reflects on Galatians 4:6–7 and the Spirit of adoption that cries, "Abba! Father!" This Christian meditation invites you to rest in the truth that you are no longer a slave but a son or daughter—an heir who belongs securely in God's family. Through scripture reflection, prayer, and stillness, you'll experience the freedom of belonging, the end of striving, and the peace that comes from knowing you have a permanent place at God's table. SCRIPTURE Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.   DEVOTIONAL Belonging is the knowledge of being part of God's family. It is the spirit of adoption, the spirit of sonship. And it is the opposite of an orphan spirit. Belonging brings safety and security. It allows us to live from love, not for love.  Imagine an orphan on the street. They have to look out for themselves. Their goal is to survive. They must stay vigilant at all times, looking for their next meal, their next escape, and their next shelter. Orphans cannot rest.  But God's Kingdom contains rest because God's Kingdom is rooted in belonging. In God's Kingdom, there is enough room for everyone. Everyone has a secure seat at the table. It's a fact. No one can take your place or steal God's affection or protection from you. And through your adoption into God's family, you have access to all the things that Jesus has. Thus, from a position of belonging, you can make great sacrifices, endure great misunderstandings and humiliations, practice radical generosity, take great leaps of faith and courage, and celebrate and invest in the lives of others. Life in the Kingdom of God does not require living by "survival of the fittest." Instead, you can lay down your life for another and confidently know that God has your back. In God's kingdom, there is invitation and security for everybody. It has belonging.   REFLECTION Do you live from a place of rest knowing you belong to God? Are there signs you live in unrest? Are there any places where you have an orphan mentality?   PRAYER Father, awaken my heart now to the truth that you have given me the Spirit of Your Son into my heart, and it is crying, "Abba! Father!". Thank you that I am not a slave, but I am a son/daughter.