In Good Faith

23: You Belong With Me

Chong Shao, Daniel Shih

On today’s show, Chong and Dan commemorate an important milestone - after 10 years, Dan has completed bible college! The main topic of our show is  “belonging”. We reflect on what is special about this word - it is passive (we don’t “do” it), and it is always in relation to something or someone else. Belonging is also a core part of our identity. Therefore it is no surprise that in our individualistic culture, there is a “crisis” of both belonging and identity. What is the “solution”? Dan boldly claims that true belonging cannot be fulfilled by this world, but rather granted by God.

Music by: Julian Wan


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Show notes

Dan finished bible college! (1:54)

  • Reflections and quick-fire questions
  • Huge personal lesson: everyone is walking their own path, you cannot plan for life


Meditations on belonging (7:11)

  • You can’t “do” belonging
  • You belong only in relation to other things - family, place, nation, etc.
  • To belong is a fundamental aspect of human identity
  • To belong is to have an obligation to others


The modern crisis of belonging (26:00)

  • (Young) people who are lost - we all feel it
  • Self-sabotage - showing up is hard, so we don’t do it, therefore sacrificing our long-term identity
  • External obstacles in modern life


What is the solution? (45:46)

  • We can’t get belonging just by trying harder
  • Dan gets preachy - only Christianity offers true belonging through a God who sent his son into the world to find us


Conclusion (56:06)

  • Parable of the Prodigal Son - belonging that is lost and found again, by grace
  • Merry Christmas - please tell a friend about our show and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts :)