Verse for today – “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone (Eph. 2:19-20).”

Several years ago, my wife, Kathy, and I traveled to China to visit our son who lives there full time. We mainly wanted to see our son and his family but also took the opportunity to explore some of China. During our visit we spent a little bit of time in Beijing among the tiny shops that line the streets in the old part of town. At one point we heard a lot of shouting going on up the street ahead of us, so we asked our son and his bride what all the excitement was about. They said the shop owners are shouting, “The Americans are coming! The American’s are coming!” I guess we are more famous than we realized.           Actually, the experience did not make us feel famous, but instead, we felt like foreigners. I know that was not the people’s intent—they were probably just hoping to make a little extra money that day—but the feeling of being a stranger in a foreign land was not the most inviting.

Thankfully, in our relationship with God and His forever family, those who belong to Christ are no longer strangers. Rather, as today’s verses declare, all who belong to Christ are “fellow citizens” and part of “God’s household.” You are now family! You are even described as a part of the building God Himself is making. You are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. In other words, those men and women who God called before you and used to teach you are also part of the structure, and they help to hold you in place. The most important piece of the building is Jesus Himself. He is the corner stone. In ancient construction the corner stone was laid first and it had to be flawless. The corner stone determined the layout and success of all the rest of the building! This is Christ’s position and He determines how we all fit together into His family. As for you, Christian, this is your newly secured position. You are part of God’s family. You are a part of God’s building. Do not let anyone discourage you or devalue you. You belong!