Tūrangawaewae is a beautiful Māori word that literally means “a place to stand”. This well-known and powerful concept expresses the basic human need for a sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves, a sense of identity and independence associated with having a particular home base and foundation.
Tūrangawaewae is a yearning inside every human heart. We long to belong, to be a part of something that gives us identity. The irony is that we can believe we have identity in where we live or what organisations we belong to but these can be taken from us in a moment of time.
Take Israel, for example, in the time of Jeremiah. Because they refused to repent of their evil ways (Jer. 25:5) their land was wasted by Babylon and left desolate (v38).
God’s will for Israel, however, was always for peace: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” (Jer. 29:11-14 NLT).
It is the same for you. Every one of us has sinned. We have lied. We have cheated. We have stolen. We have failed to honour God. God can see the crimson stain of sin on you and He wants to take it away.
That’s why He sent His only son, Jesus, to die for your sins. All He wants from you is for you to repent, to be sorry for your sins and to change your ways; to make Jesus the one in control of your life.
And the reward? Tūrangawaewae. You will find your belonging in Jesus for eternity. You will have security in Jesus, established in Him as a fully adopted and secure child of God. You will be brought into the land that God has prepared for you, forever.
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