Where Do I Belong?

The movie DIVERGENT was on TV last night. Although I've seen it before it fascinates me as I watch the journey of the main character ("Tris") as she tries to find her way in her world, trying to understand who she is and where she fits in. It is not an easy journey.

I have to wonder if it truly is an easy journey for anyone. Some certainly make it look easy. Some flail about most of their life. I know my life journey has not been one that looks like a straight line, always knowing what I'm supposed to do, always being who I'm supposed to be. Far from it!

In the Choosing Ceremony, Jeannine Matthews (Kate Winslet) tells each young adult entering adulthood: "the future belongs to those who know where they belong." Thus each one must choose which "faction" they belong. Once that decision is made there is no going back. To do so is to become an outcast, factionless", no longer recognized by society.

While there are many (intentional) correlations to the world as we know it today, there is a blaring difference: the absence of grace.

It is true, you know. The absence of grace prevails among us. US -- human beings.

There is grace a plenty in the Kingdom of God. Thank God! I'm so relieved for you and for me! That message is loud and clear: we CAN go back. We can do a complete turn-around and run to God's welcoming arms. 

"The world will ask you who you are, and if you don't know the world will tell you." Carl Jung
          Whether we like to admit it or not our actions say loudly who we are.
          The words that come from our mouth shout out to the world who we are.
          Even the things we leave undone leave a clear imprint.
          So if we don't know -- listen, for the world will clearly tell us. It will tell you and it will tell me.

There is a mirror in my bedroom that hangs in just a spot where Sarah sees herself in it every night when she enters the room. And -- yep -- she goes nuts barking at that strange dog in my bedroom.

She does not recognize herself.

The minute she does she stops the barking. And then comes the funny expression that says "I really should have caught that ... this time." But she doesn't. It happens every night.

I could joke about my dog's intelligence but I won't because I realize Sarah's reaction is our reaction. Too often we are surprised by who we see in the mirror. We don't recognize that person looking back and we need a moment to figure out who it is.

Like Sarah, we will only quit "barking" when we admit we like, or don't like, what we see. And we have a choice, we can make positive changes so that the reflection is far more pleasant.

I don't need the world to tell me who I am. I am a Child of God and so are you. Now I pray as I go in to my day that is who the world will see.

Enjoying the Journey,
Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --

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