Our Stories
Belonging
By Keith Ferrin | posted 02/19/2009
"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Romans 12:4-5)
Have you caught the Facebook bug yet? Are you on it all day, every day? Once a day? Weekly? Do you even know what I am talking about? And why do I want to be "Facebook friends" with Les, Marcy, and John - people I haven't seen or talked to since the day we graduated from high school?
I've thought about it quite a bit lately. Just wondering why Facebook is so popular - and addicting. Is it just the novelty of something new? Maybe. I'm sure something else will take its place in the years to come. Is it simply because it's fun to see what others are doing, what they like, and learn little facts about them? (Sort of like the eavesdropping's version of the "white lie.") Probably a little. Is it because there's power in networking for various causes. Definitely that's a sweet benefit. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised through their "Causes" section.
These elements of Facebook certainly play a part in its appeal, but as I've thought about it more, I have come to believe there's more to it. I think what attracts millions to Facebook is the sense of belonging. When I run across a friend from high school, I remember some of the things we did together, or the crowd we ran around with. Whether we're still friends - in real life - or not, that person "belonged" to a season of my life, and I belonged to theirs.
When someone invites me to come to their "event", become a "fan" of their band, or join their "cause," there is a sense of belonging to something bigger than myself. I like that. I need that. We all do.
When Paul was writing to the church in Rome, he penned these words:
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
We all want to belong to something, someone, a group, or a family. Paul reminds us that our longing to belong is built into who we were created to be. We need each other. We're in this together. We belong to each other ... whether we're on Facebook or not.
And by the way, I'm thrilled to be on this journey with you.
Alongside,
Keith
To respond to this message, email Keith at keith@thatyoumayknow.com.
Keith Ferrin is founder of That You May Know Ministries.
