9-18-22 Table For Many

Quote:  “A bottle of water can be .50 cents at a supermarket.  $2 at the gym.  $3 at the movies and $6 on a plane.  Same water.  Only thing that changed its value was the place.  So the next time you feel worth is nothing, maybe you’re at the wrong place.” – Kobi Simmons

Wow!  This quote sure got me thinking.

How many times have I tried to fit in at a table that was never meant for me to sit at?  Have you ever had that happen?  I thought it was just a middle school and high school thing.  But it’s definitely not.

Those of you that ever took a psychology class might remember studying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.  If you never did, here it is in a nutshell.  There are 5 levels of needs that must be met.  But it is a hierarchy and so the lower level of needs must be met before the others can be met.  It starts with your physiological needs – air, water, food, shelter.  Then there are safety needs – resources, job, health, property.  And guess what the 3rd level is?  Love and sense of belonging.  This is friendship, family, sense of connection, and intimacy.

The last 2 levels of needs are dependent on this feeling of belonging.  I believe many of us get stuck here at this third level.  We try and try and try to find where we fit in.  I have spent many, many years feeling like I just don’t fit in or don’t belong.  And if I am truly honest, there are days I still struggle.

But something happens when you realize your worth – your real and true value.  And do you know how and when that happens?  When you sit at the right table.  When you find people who tell you your value when you don’t believe you have any.  When you surround yourself with music and books and people that point out who you really are when you’ve forgotten.

The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  We are royalty!  He loves us more than anything.  We are so special to him.  He loves us so much that he sent his only son to die for us.  He is preparing a beautiful place for us someday to spend eternity.

If you don’t feel valued or accepted or loved, just know there is a God who sees your value and thinks the world of you.  Why?  Because he created you.  And he created people who “get” you – who think you are the best thing since sliced bread!  You just have to keep looking for them.  Search high and low.  They are out there.

As Maslow teaches us – no matter what people may say otherwise – the longing to belong is a human characteristic we all share.  That’s why there are billions of people on this earth.  There is a perfect match and tribe out there that would give anything to have you at their table.

And if you haven’t found them yet, just sit at a table with God in the meantime.  Get to know him.  He will remind you of your worth every time you read his words, every time you pray, and every time you think of him.

Wondering what the last 2 levels of needs are?  Esteem is level 4 – respect, strength, freedom, and recognition.  Self-actualization is level 5 – the desire to become the most that I can be.  These top levels are only reached when you feel loved and that you belong.  Ask God how you can reach these levels.  He will be there every step of the way.

And as you are moving on up the levels of needs, don’t forget to look behind you and help others along the way. Pull out a chair at your table.  They may not stay there long, but at least they know they have a spot to sit.  After all, someone pulled out a chair for you.