Devotionals for the Heart: When God places you where you belong

When God Places You Where You Belong
A devotional by Terry Overton

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”—Romans 12:2 (ESV)

Have you ever taken an action and then wondered if it was the right thing to do?

You prayed about it, talked it over with loved ones, and trusted God. Later, you found yourself quietly wondering, Did I get this wrong?

This happened to me.

Not long ago, my husband and I moved from the warm, sunny coast to a place more than five-hundred miles inland. Once we decided to make the move, after several weeks of prayer and discussion, we listed our house and found one that seemed to meet our needs and check all the boxes. It was closer to family and on the outskirts of a city full of resources for health, plenty of shopping, restaurants, and services.

But after many cold winters, snowy, and icy days, we began to talk about how much we missed the warmer weather of the coast. With that in mind, I planned a two-week long vacation in the middle of the winter. We could visit our long-time friends, play golf, go on walks, eat in our favorite beachside cafes, and go to the beach. Wondering if moving north had been the right thing to do in this season of life, we discussed the possibility of looking at some of the currently listed homes in our old neighborhood on the coast. The two-week rental seemed perfect, and they allowed us to bring our sweet dog.

What happened next was a clear message from God that He had indeed planned for us to move north and, He put an exclamation on our move during our trip back to the coast. The two-week vacation was shortened to a mere five days. Why? We both wanted to be back in our “own home”. As the verse above states, we should not be conformed to this world or our desires. For me, it meant God was saying, “Do not think you know the path? When guided by Me, do not look back. Only through testing, will you discern My will.”

Just a few days into our dream vacation, my mind was transformed and my appreciation for the wonderful home up north was renewed. When we moved north, it was because He knew there was something better for us in the new location. The short trip underscored His plan for me and helped me to understand to surrender to His plan, I must give up my longing for control. By planning an extended vacation to the coast, I had intended to control outcomes. But God asks us to surrender all outcomes to Him. I was reminded that He plans my steps. He directs my route.

Sometimes God lets us revisit what we thought we missed, not to take us backward, but to show us how much we’ve changed. What once felt like home may not fit who God is shaping us to be now. What once made us long for the past may now feel strangely empty. It’s not because it was wrong, but because it belonged to a different time.

When we returned to our current home, I felt blessed beyond belief. It was God’s plan for us to move here. This was home. I no longer had doubts about His plan. I feel His purposeful presence here. The only way I can discern His plans and transform my own understanding is to be faithful, let go of control, and place everything in His hands.

My visit to the coast confirmed that God had already placed us exactly where we belonged. What once seemed uncertain became a powerful reminder that God sometimes allows us to revisit old places to show us how He has transformed our hearts and redirected our lives.

Let’s Pray:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for providing tests of faith that provide true understanding of Your will. Forgive me for wanting to control the outcomes You have already set in motion for me. Help me to stay close to You and strive to know Your path for me.

In Jesus’s name I pray.

Amen.

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Song of Reflection #1: “He is with Us” by Love & The Outcome. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Need Thee Every Hour” (Hymn). Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Terry Overton is a retired university professor of educational and school psychology. She has an Ed.D. in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Psychology. 

Her professional experience includes teaching public school, teaching at the university level, and being a college dean.

She has two children, seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Her previous writing and publication experiences include textbook and journal articles in the fields of special education and school psychology. She now seeks to answer God’s call to share the good news and grow the church by writing Christian books and devotionals.

Over the years, Terry’s books have won the Mom’s Choice Award, Christian Indie Award, Firebird Book Awards, American Writing Winner Awards, Bookfest Winner Awards, Pencraft Award, Reader Views Silver Reviewers Award, and International Book Award Finalist. Her writing examines real world events with a Christian worldview. She enjoys writing for young children, middle grade readers, YA fiction, and adult level novels.

Terry’s background in teaching adults and children shine through her stories that often include a character with educational or learning challenges. Her Christmas series, The Oddball Ornaments, features a box of misfit ornaments who first learn the meaning of Christmas and then discover the meaning of forgiveness. In The Underground Book Readers series, one of the main characters is on the autism spectrum yet is one of the leaders of the group of teens. Book one of a new series, The Messiah Brigade, features an awkward middle school nerd who helps his school turn around a bully gang of kids. Adoption and family issues are the focus of her new book, Charlotte McMaster and the Messenger Angel.

Terry lives in Texas and enjoys reading, taking pictures for devotional posts on social media, visiting with her family, playing golf, and writing.

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Connect with Terry:
Website: https://www.authorterryoverton.com
Blog: https://terryovertonbooks.com
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/overtont

Devotionals for the Heart: A life lesson on your worth and wanting to belong

Establishing Your Worth
A devotional by Mirachelle Canada

“...walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God...”–Colossians 1:10 (ESV)

What does worth mean to you? What makes you feel worthy? By the world’s standards the worth of something or someone is established by is value, usefulness, or importance.

What does belonging mean to you? By the world’s standards belonging occurs when we feel welcome, respected, accepted, and treated fairly.

We want support and understanding and help when we need it. This establishes self-worth. The culture of belonging means an environment that supports these three elements: connection, contribution, and confidence.

As Christians, our sense of belonging is being a part of the body of Christ. Romans 12:4-5 (ESV) says, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

When we lose our sense of belonging we tend to lose our sense of worth too.

So, what does Satan do to keep us from belonging? He attacks our identity, purpose, and confidence.

Ask yourself this question: Who am I? The first thing most people answer with is their name. Your name is part of your identity. Identity gives us connection. Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV) affirms our identity in Jesus Christ with these words: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Now ask yourself: What am I? Consider your best skill (writer, teacher, contractor, manager, etc.). Your best skill provides your contribution to the world. It gives you purpose. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) invites our skillful work forth with “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Next ask: Whose am I? The first thing to come to your mind should be God. Knowing to whom you belong gives comfort and security. Our belonging to God gives us confidence.

Who you are, what you are, and to whom you belong is wrapped up in God’s gifts of worth and belonging. But remember, we all have an enemy, and he doesn’t like who you are, what you do, or to whom you belong. This is why 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) warns us to, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

When Satan tries to destroy who you are, he’s trying to steal your identity. When he tries to destroy what you are, he’s trying to steal your purpose. When he tries to destroy whose you are, he’s trying to steal your confidence. He wants to make you feel unworthy. But all he can do is try. He can’t make you unworthy.

When you turn things over to and open up to God, He will give you His perspective. He’s always there to remind you that you are forever “worthy” of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for your salvation. He made you and called you by name. He has a purpose and plan for you, and nothing can destroy your security in His hands.

So, whenever you feel doubt or wavery in your identity, purpose, or confidence (because you will), look again to God for His ultimately perspective of your worth because when you see fully, you’ll discover it’s not really about your worth at all. It’s about His desire to spend eternity with you.

Finally, worthy one, do as Colossians 1:10-12 (ESV) commands, and “...walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.” Amen!

Let’s Pray: Dear God, thank You for establishing my worth in You and giving me a place in Your heart to belong for all eternity. In you I live, and move, and having my being. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Worthy” by Elevation Worship. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Mirachelle Canada is a writer, playwright, screenwriter, and theatre director/producer. She resides in Northern Virginia with her feline Shiloh and loves hiking through Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Forest.

She earned her M.F.A. in Script & Screenwriting from Regent University and is an alumnus of Act One: Hollywood Film & Television Writing Program. Mirachelle is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers’ National Chapter and Virginia Chapter where she serves as the treasurer. She hones her writing skills through The Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild and Your Novel Blueprint.

Along with her devotional contributions and occasional novelettes, she is working on her first historical fiction novel set in pre-WWII London, about an American vocal prodigy caught up in espionage, secret musical codes, and double agents disguised as friends.

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Connect with Mirachelle:
Website: www.mirachellecanada.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mirachellecanada/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirachellecanada/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/miracan