Finding a Sense of Belonging

As I sit and look out of my big picture window, I observe all the varieties of color, type, height, and distance of the trees in my neighborhood. They appear to me in layers right now. The bush right outside my window, then the neighbor’s tree, the maples all in red at this time of year, and the tall fir tree across the street. They each have a place where they are planted. But, from my perspective, they are simply layers of landscape, color, size, and shape. A familiar scene that I take in every day. A picture of what just is.

Where Do I Belong?

I consider my life at present. The office I work in, the friendships that I maintain, the activities that keep me busy. How did I get here? Do I belong here? How do I know that I belong here? Where is God in the midst of it? Am I living on purpose, or did I just float through the air like a seed from a dandelion?
Often in my work with people, I hear this question, whether indirectly or directly asked: Where do I belong? Or it may be expressed as a longing: “I want to belong somewhere.” The fact is: You do belong. You are on purpose. We often look around at the landscape of the people surrounding us, and we assume that others are fulfilled and exactly where they are meant to be. We wonder if we are the only ones feeling confused or misplaced or lonely.

Moving from Shame to Story

As we move from shame to story, as we air out our longings and pleas as we speak out our unanswered questions, we find God. We find Truth. We find that we are accepted as we are – in all our messiness, our imperfections, our unfinished business, our needs, our hopes, our fears. We find that we have a story to tell. We have a community of people to link arms with, namely, humanity.

Connect with Others in Seattle

In Seattle, we have a wide range of Meet-Ups and other groups in which to participate. These are places to meet other people. Seattle has a reputation for “the Seattle freeze,” but even here there are resources. Consider what activities give you energy and life. Tennis? Working out? Hiking? Reading? Just think for a moment of the last activity you did that left you feeling more alive than before you did it. Then consider how you could join others in that activity.

Find a Church in Seattle

In addition, check out a church in your community. Here are some of the churches you can find in Seattle:

• Awake Church*
• Church of the Beloved*
• Wits End Church*
• Church of the Apostles (COTA)*
• Bethany Community Church*
• Paul’s Episcopal Church*
• Grace Seattle
• Sanctuary Church
• Renew Covenant Church*
• Green Lake Presbyterian Church
• Quest Church*
• Vineyard Christian Fellowship (Seattle Vineyard)
• Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral
• University Presbyterian Church
• Mosaic Community Church
• Philadelphia Church
• Zion Baptist Church
• The City Church
• Lux Communities
• Union Church
• Vona Church Bellevue
• Greater Seattle Churches
• Westminster Chapel*

Bothell

• Eastlake Community Church
• Evergreen Community Church
• Northshore Baptist Church
• Canyon Hills Community Church
• Northwest Community Church

Kirkland

• Inglewood Presbyterian Church
• The City Church

Lynnwood

• Alderwood Community Church

Redmond

• Antioch Bible Church
• Overlake Christian Church
• Timberlake Christian Fellowship

Renton

• Highlands Community Church

Shoreline

• Vineyard Community Church

Woodinville

• Woodinville Alliance Church

Christian Counseling Can Help You Find Your Place

Just start somewhere. If there are other blocks – such as depression, social anxiety, or chronic physical pain – consider calling a Christian counselor today to process and explore those blocks and come up with creative ways to work through them. Gain insight, be heard, tell your story, and connect with another person in your pain.

Try something that you may have never tried before, such as counseling, a book club, a new small group, or a new church. Just making one small addition to your life in community can give fresh perspective and direction. Remember: You are on purpose, and you do belong.