This week is a big week for Blackburn Rovers fans. On Monday night, the fourth round of the FA Cup brings Wrexham FC to Ewood Park. It is an exciting chance for the up-and-coming League 2 team to take on a previous Premier League winner (1994-95). For those who are attending, make sure you make your voice heard—Come on You Blues!
Being a supporter of a team brings a sense of belonging. The feeling of walking to the stadium with hundreds, or thousands of others, gives a sense of togetherness and a sense of acceptance, with those who wear the same shirt. You may not know their names, or even speak to them. But because of the commonality of destination and costume—you belong.
In Galatians 3:28, Paul writes to a group of believers in God and talks to them about the most important community you can belong to—the community of faith. The situation at the time was, like in most times in history, one of division. Wherever you looked in the place, there were separate groups of all different backgrounds. Galatia was a place of trade, where people from all over the region came together.
When Paul wrote his letter, he wanted to challenge the view that some followers of the faith were better than others. Some were proud of their family heritage. Some put their hope in their status in society. The reality was, there were some people who had family or societal status. Difference divides. Belonging unites.
What difference would we make in our community if we focused on what unites us? Paul called all the early believers to unite in their belief in Jesus, his death, and resurrection.
Let’s choose this week to look for opportunities to celebrate everything that promotes our sense of belonging.
