Blessed Belonging: Psalm 113 - Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

At confirmation camp this week, we asked our teenage campers what they’d like to be when they grow up. One said he wanted to be an astronaut, another said he wanted to be a police officer. Most of the kids had no idea what to say, and that’s okay. It’s one of the biggest decisions a young person will make.

Remnant Confirmation Camp at Lutherlyn, 2024. Photo by author.

But if you were young girl living in Scriptural times, this question was practically answered for you: your purpose in life was to bear children for your husband; specifically, male children. Families typically didn’t want to have girls, because it meant that they would have to pay a dowry to their future husband’s family for them to be married. Our modern practice of the bride’s family paying the entire cost of their daughter’s wedding is a continuation of this ancient nonsense.

If you, as a woman, were unable to bear male children for your husband, you would be regarded by him and your community as worthless.

We know now, of course, that infertility can be attributed to a potential mother or father’s medical condition. Furthermore, it’s not anyone’s business to know the how’s and why’s a couple does not have children. Recently, I asked one of my colleagues, who I didn’t know very well, if he had children. I felt terrible when he answered that he and his wife experienced a failed adoption.

In biblical times, however, infertility was regarded as a sign that a woman was cursed by God. I don’t think anyone can understand the emotional and spiritual pain women suffered because of this, unless if you’ve experienced it firsthand.

Shame is one of the worst spiritual burdens you can bear. I think of shame as an unclean spirit living inside your mind, constantly repeating back all the heartless and judgmental words spoken to you and about you by other people. It is forever reminding you that you are unacceptable because of who you are or something you’ve done (or haven’t done). Shame tells you that you are not worthy of friendship; not worthy of respect; not worthy of rest; not worthy of happiness…

Therefore, shame functions as an inner defense mechanism which keeps you away from people so that your failures and deficiencies aren’t exposed, and you become subject to even more labels and slurs.

As a result, shame isolates you, and isolation is the perfect breeding ground for depression and anxiety. Shame suffocates your self-confidence and self-worth, making you less likely to seek connection with others or exercise your God-given talents to help yourself or others.

What makes Psalm 113 so beautiful is that celebrates God’s glory lifting souls out from the depths of their shame to live in full fellowship with princes. When God shows up, the poor and needy are lifted from the ash heap. No longer are they helpless and distressed. Their immediate needs are met, and they empowered to live purposeful and productive lives. Barren women and other persons who once were tossed away like garbage suddenly experience a complete affirmation of their value. When God shows up, everyone belongs.

I suspect that one of the reasons why we are struggling to grow our churches is because of shame. I shudder to think how many people have drifted away from the church are now hesitating to come back because they’re afraid of what people are going to say or think. I shudder to think how many of our neighbors want a closer walk with God but don’t come to church because they believe they are not worthy of belonging. One of the biggest steps a believer will take is setting foot inside a church for the first time, because you don’t know what you’re getting yourself into!

Whatever the reasons may be, shame is a demon of our own creation, and we have the power to exorcise it through love, service, and empowerment.

Camp Lutherlyn has become near and dear to my heart because its mission is to provide unconditional welcome for all God’s children. They will not turn a child away for any reason, even if the child has a mental or physical limitation. Over the years, I’ve encountered campers who barely spoke a word of English; campers who are blind and deaf; and numerous campers you could tell were scared to death to be there. There is zero tolerance for bullying at camp. Very quickly, the campers learn to be supportive and encouraging to campers who are struggling for any reason. Recreational activities like the rock-climbing wall, the high ropes course, and the zip line challenge children to face their fears and overcome them without the risk of serious injury. Let’s not forget that this is a Christian camp, which means that there are bible stories, prayers, worship, and testimonies from camp counselors. By the time the campers go home at the end of the week, they don’t want to leave, because camp has given them the freedom to be themselves. Hopefully, by God’s grace, they will remember that they are beloved and worthy and acceptable to God, regardless of what other people say, or how well their academic or sports performance compares to their peers.

Do we not exist for the same purpose? The ministry of Jesus Christ liberates people from shame. Your worth isn’t measured by how much money you have or buy how successful you are over how many friends you have. Your worth is revealed in the life Jesus gave for you. To truly know Jesus Christ and receive his forgiveness is to be loved and accepted by his people. The promises of the gospel don’t mean much unless you can experience them in relationship with God’s people. Relationships are key, as I constantly remind our confirmation students. You are accepted because God has made you, and because Jesus has given his life to ransom you from sin and death. When God shows up, everyone belongs. We belong to each other and we belong to Christ. How blessed we are to belong.