CONFESSIONS & REFLECTIONS - Are You a Dog?

Belonging… I’ve been meditating on belonging as it seems to be something that eludes me more often than not.

In the passage from Matthew 15, the Lebanese woman comes to Jesus asking that He heal her demon tormented daughter. Jesus’ response is actually quite shocking. He doesn’t acknowledge. His disciples actually ask if Jesus was going to do something about. 

Basically, Jesus answers saying that he didn't come for people like her… shocking again. I will take poetic license here to say that she doesn’t “belong”. Then, He continues saying that a man gives food to his children, he doesn’t throw good food out to the dogs… basically, calling her a dog. So, not only does she not “belong" but, she’s a dog too. Ummm… shocking again!

Surprisingly, she doesn’t quit. She continues calling out saying, perhaps she doesn’t belong or deserve her miracle but even puppies get crumbs from the prince’s table. Meaning, “I may be a dog but, I can still eat off the floor what falls off the table of those that do “belong.” Gutsy gal.

CONFESSIONS & REFLECTIONS - Are You a Dog?

There’s a lesson in belonging here. I confess it’s very rare when I feel like I belong somewhere. It’s been awhile since the last time I felt as if I truly belonged in family, with friends, at church, in a culture. This passage is striking to me first for Jesus’ initial response and then for how the woman just doesn’t give up. She knows what Jesus can do. Knows where He is from (He is part of those that “belong”) and she knows where she is from and yet, she persists.

If it was me, I would have walked away sadly at the first side-slapped response… I didn’t come for people like you… that would have been my exit but, this lady has got grit. She responds to Jesus, agrees with Him, takes on her lowly position with gumption and poise and gets her miracle because her faith is “strong”. 

What? Was anyone else caught off-guard by that? I sure was and I have read this passage many times! So then it means that because of the position of her heart, persistence in apparent negativity she gets the blessing that was meant for those that seemingly “belong" and thus joining the ranks of those that truly do “belong”…. That’s good news for anyone who struggles with feeling out-of-place. Own it but don’t live in it, wallow in it. Position and posture for an upgrade because:

It would be safe to say that belonging is an inside job. The sense of belonging that can be so hard to find whether in family, culture, job, church neighborhood comes from an inner understanding that whether we are “in" or “out" agreeing with Jesus is always the best route and belonging comes as a consequence of not allowing outward influences determine inward posture. The miracle or blessing is profit. Jesus knows we are not “dogs" the question is, do we?