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Sacred Belonging: A 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture
In this forty-day devotional, Cuban American writer Kat Armas shows us that reading the Bible with fresh eyes allows us to experience God in new and liberating ways.
Many Christians today are seeking to disentangle biblical teaching from power structures that marginalize women and people of color. There's a hunger for a new kind of devotional that offers refreshing and relevant ways to connect with God and the Bible--ways that challenge readers to seek out a more liberated and embodied faith.
Drawing from personal narrative and Scripture, Armas highlights biblical passages that point toward decolonized themes centered on creation, wisdom, spirit, the body, and the feminine. Sacred Belonging helps us see how Scripture directs us to live a liberated faith, where we belong to God, the earth, and one another.
Many Christians today are seeking to disentangle biblical teaching from power structures that marginalize women and people of color. There's a hunger for a new kind of devotional that offers refreshing and relevant ways to connect with God and the Bible--ways that challenge readers to seek out a more liberated and embodied faith.
Drawing from personal narrative and Scripture, Armas highlights biblical passages that point toward decolonized themes centered on creation, wisdom, spirit, the body, and the feminine. Sacred Belonging helps us see how Scripture directs us to live a liberated faith, where we belong to God, the earth, and one another.
208 pages, Paperback
Published September 12, 2023
85 people are currently reading
2059 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 30, 2023
I'm sitting here less than three weeks before bladder cancer will claim my bladder. After a several months long journey that began shortly before last Christmas, I will be admitted to the hospital for a few days and, if all goes well, return home cancer free yet without a bladder and wearing an ostomy that will be my companion for the rest of my life.
It's the latest physical challenge in a long life filled with them. I'm a paraplegic and double amputee with spina bifida, a 50+year-old man who has lived far longer than anyone expected yet who continues to crave more life.
As I began what I expected to be yet another "typical" reading of a devotional designed to inspire my heart and mind, I was prepared for a quick read popping with a few insights.
I received so much more.
Cuban-American writer Kat Armas has written an atypical devotional, a devotional that truly liberates the heart of Scripture and encourages readers toward a liberated faith by offering devotions centered around five different themes - creation, wisdom, spirit, the body, and the feminine.
The overarching lesson, if you will, is that we do belong. We do, we really do. We belong to God, we belong to the earth, and we belong to one another.
Armas highlights biblical passages that point toward decolonizing themes and moving away from the oppression that so many of us have felt from patriarchal, and just plain incorrect, interpretations of scripture designed more for power and control than bringing forth the sacred.
At times, "Sacred Belonging: A 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture" feels like Thich Nhat Hanh's remarkable "Living Buddha, Living Christ" with Armas's gentle ability to weave together Scripture with Indigenous spirituality and other faith journeys. It's open-hearted and faithful throughout yet will most resonate with those who long for a more liberated faith.
I expected "Sacred Belonging" to be a quick read, though as I worked my way through it I found myself stopping and starting, reflecting and praying quite often. I found myself dealing with issues brought up in each chapter and genuinely immersing myself in those times when Armas would end a chapter with questions for personal exploration.
I found myself dealing with my long history of abuse, my points of grief, my body image and, yes, my cancer journey and the experiences I'm about to face in terms of body image, physical function, intimacy, and a fear of the social isolation that already splashes over me in waves.
"Sacred Belonging," however, felt like a safe place. It felt like a belonging space where I could acknowledges these truths, some temporary and others permanent, and have them held as sacred in this difficult yet holy journey.
It's likely unsurprising that I most deeply resonated on the section centered around "the body," however every section resonated deeply and even when Armas seemed to be writing directly for women I found myself listening, learning, appreciating, respecting, and even belonging.
If you are expecting a sound byte devotional, you might want to alter your expectations as Armas shares both personal narrative and theological insights and reflections with enthusiasm, intelligence, insight, wisdom, and tenderness. Some devotions end with guiding questions, others do not. Some devotions are nearly all intellectual discourse, others radiate the richness of human experience.
As I end my time with "Sacred Belonging," at least for now, I feel a little more prepared for the challenges I will be facing in the coming 2-3 weeks. I feel greater the presence of the creation around me and the communal spirit that often feels like it's off at a distance. I feel a little more liberated from a fear of the unknown and a lot more secure in the belonging that comes whatever journeys our bodies are on.
In a world where Scripture is often used as a weapon, Armas invites us into a 40-day journey that reminds us that we are so loved and so never alone.
Amen.
It's the latest physical challenge in a long life filled with them. I'm a paraplegic and double amputee with spina bifida, a 50+year-old man who has lived far longer than anyone expected yet who continues to crave more life.
As I began what I expected to be yet another "typical" reading of a devotional designed to inspire my heart and mind, I was prepared for a quick read popping with a few insights.
I received so much more.
Cuban-American writer Kat Armas has written an atypical devotional, a devotional that truly liberates the heart of Scripture and encourages readers toward a liberated faith by offering devotions centered around five different themes - creation, wisdom, spirit, the body, and the feminine.
The overarching lesson, if you will, is that we do belong. We do, we really do. We belong to God, we belong to the earth, and we belong to one another.
Armas highlights biblical passages that point toward decolonizing themes and moving away from the oppression that so many of us have felt from patriarchal, and just plain incorrect, interpretations of scripture designed more for power and control than bringing forth the sacred.
At times, "Sacred Belonging: A 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture" feels like Thich Nhat Hanh's remarkable "Living Buddha, Living Christ" with Armas's gentle ability to weave together Scripture with Indigenous spirituality and other faith journeys. It's open-hearted and faithful throughout yet will most resonate with those who long for a more liberated faith.
I expected "Sacred Belonging" to be a quick read, though as I worked my way through it I found myself stopping and starting, reflecting and praying quite often. I found myself dealing with issues brought up in each chapter and genuinely immersing myself in those times when Armas would end a chapter with questions for personal exploration.
I found myself dealing with my long history of abuse, my points of grief, my body image and, yes, my cancer journey and the experiences I'm about to face in terms of body image, physical function, intimacy, and a fear of the social isolation that already splashes over me in waves.
"Sacred Belonging," however, felt like a safe place. It felt like a belonging space where I could acknowledges these truths, some temporary and others permanent, and have them held as sacred in this difficult yet holy journey.
It's likely unsurprising that I most deeply resonated on the section centered around "the body," however every section resonated deeply and even when Armas seemed to be writing directly for women I found myself listening, learning, appreciating, respecting, and even belonging.
If you are expecting a sound byte devotional, you might want to alter your expectations as Armas shares both personal narrative and theological insights and reflections with enthusiasm, intelligence, insight, wisdom, and tenderness. Some devotions end with guiding questions, others do not. Some devotions are nearly all intellectual discourse, others radiate the richness of human experience.
As I end my time with "Sacred Belonging," at least for now, I feel a little more prepared for the challenges I will be facing in the coming 2-3 weeks. I feel greater the presence of the creation around me and the communal spirit that often feels like it's off at a distance. I feel a little more liberated from a fear of the unknown and a lot more secure in the belonging that comes whatever journeys our bodies are on.
In a world where Scripture is often used as a weapon, Armas invites us into a 40-day journey that reminds us that we are so loved and so never alone.
Amen.
October 1, 2023
This is a devotional for people who are sick of devotionals. It's for people who are wondering if there is a place for them in Christian spaces. It is for people who are disentangling all of the misogyny, racism, abelism, and xenophobia from their faith. It is good people seeking liberation and freedom. It's for people who long to connect deeply with God in a new way.
Sacred Belonging is divided into 5 sections: creation, wisdom, spirit, the body, and the feminine. Each of these sections include devotions 5-10 min in length that are thought-provoking, deeply theological, and personal. The way Kat is able to take seemingly normal or uninteresting things, and make them reflect the beauty and glory of God, is incredible. I learned so much, was encouraged, and challenged by this book. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Brazos press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Sacred Belonging is divided into 5 sections: creation, wisdom, spirit, the body, and the feminine. Each of these sections include devotions 5-10 min in length that are thought-provoking, deeply theological, and personal. The way Kat is able to take seemingly normal or uninteresting things, and make them reflect the beauty and glory of God, is incredible. I learned so much, was encouraged, and challenged by this book. Highly recommend!
Thank you to Netgalley and Brazos press for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 28, 2024
I’m struggling to rate this one because I think I was expecting something other than what this book promises to be. I had hoped for a devotional that would bring me deeper into my faith and use scripture to support a liberation theological perspective. What this provides is more-so snippets of scripture integrated with the author’s thoughts and experiences. It was beautifully written and I agreed with pretty much all of the content, and appreciated the integration of Indigenous perspectives. I think I’m craving more of a bible study rather than brief lines from the bible paired with another person’s thoughts. 🤷🏻♀️ It seems others have found this useful and enlightening though.
Currently reading
September 15, 2023Kat has done it again! I’ve been privileged enough to participate in a small cohort of women who were able to read this prior to its release. And just like in Abuelita Faith, she did what she does best - encourage us to ask questions, center marginalized identities, build a decolonized faith. All our our liberation is tied up together and this devotional does a phenomenal job of expounding on that and highlighting all the “unconventional” ways we can see and connect to the divine ❤️🔥
October 2, 2024
Exceptional.
October 3, 2024
I loved this book! I’m not usually into daily devotionals, but this book was full of wonder, insight, and reality. Kat Armas stirred my faith and cultivated deeper desire for Jesus and the “liberating heart of Scripture.”
February 11, 2024
this devotional was balm to my church weary, Jesus loving, progressive leaning soul. So much wisdom and beauty and new ways to think about faith packed into 40 days worth of reading.
May 13, 2025
"When the Bible's content...political, economic, religious, and historical-was taken out of its original context, the result yielded a depoliticized Bible and, as a consequence, religion in the West was reduced to personal faith and salvation."
I would copy and paste the entire introduction of Sacred if I could. If you like me are "hungry for new, liberation insights into your faith tradition," this is an accessible place to start. Thank you, again, Kat for introducing me to new questions and ways of thinking about the Bible.
December 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this devotional. I wish I kept up with it constantly but had a lot of life things happen in between starting and finishing. This was a perfect read for advent season
October 22, 2023
Sacred Belonging is a mystical, introspective devotional for people who don’t like devotionals. I’ve pretty much sworn off reading or utilizing most devotionals. They can be done well, but they’re overdone. Their brevity and compartmentalization of the biblical text, meant for easy and quick consumption, have a place in the Christian life but I dislike how central some have made it. Instead of reading Scripture, we find ourselves reading a curated and editorialized perspective on Scripture. Yet somehow, despite all those perspectives, many devotionals end up sounded all the same. Sacred Belonging sounds like no other devotional I’ve ever read.
I was first introduced to Kat Armas through her first book Abuelita Faith, an exploration of how voices on the margins have much to teach us about God. That theme continues in Sacred Belonging, as Armas attempts to disentangle Scripture from toxic power structures, offering a decolonized and often mystical reading of Scripture that is both thought-provoking and challenging.
Armas divides her forty-day devotional into five themes of eight devotions each. The five themes are 1) Creation, 2) Spirit, 3) The Body, 4) Wisdom, and 5) The Feminine. The result is a devotional that doesn’t feel quite cohesive from beginning to end. Armas never really explains how she came to these five themes, but they do all fit her personality and style of writing.
To give you an example of what a devotion is like, let me break down one of the devotions for you. On Day 17, Armas introduces readers to “A Disabled God.” This comes in the thematic section of The Body, where the devotions speak to the embodied-ness of faith. She contends that Western thinking typically reduces the body to something we have instead of something we are. I think that’s true in Eurocentric theology—a la a quote falsely attributed C.S. Lewis “You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”—but I don’t know that comports with Western secular thinking, which has no belief in an afterlife. Nonetheless, she’s correct in that most Western theology, with an emphasis on the afterlife and soulishness, have taken a low view of the physical body—which is borne out in their theology.
Countering this theology, Armas makes the point that Christ’s post-resurrection body is presented to the disciples as disabled. The body is not “perfect,” but holds the scars of the violence done to that body. Heaven is not an ableist utopia and neither should that be what our churches strive for. Rather, understanding God as disabled saves us from the idols of perfection and efficiency. The point is solid and clear, but the argumentation Sacred Belonging takes to get there feels like it needs more flesh than a four-page devotion can give it. Armas is bringing out some deep and heavy topics, ones unfamiliar to most of her audience, and while she does a good job the brevity of a devotional is an inherent limitation that may make her writing feel rushed or incomplete.
The connection to Scripture is also not always clear. While I dislike devotionals are basically selected commentaries, I also dislike devotionals where the Scripture selection seems like an afterthought. Sacred Belonging’s discussion of Scripture is thematically appropriate and clear, but occasionally lacks the amount of integration to the narrative that I would like to see. That’s totally a personal preference on my part.
Overall, Sacred Belonging will leave you wanting more and in a good way. Some of things that I appreciated about it were also sources of frustration. I loved how it leaned into the mystical aspects of faith. I also wanted it to have more clarity. I enjoyed that it brought depth and substance to a devotional; I was occasionally frustrated that it didn’t feel like enough despite the length constraints. I liked that it stretched my boundaries; it also had things that I didn’t quite agree with. And maybe that’s how it should be: a challenging, immersive, passionate, and personal work that drives readers just a little bit out of their comfort zones and into the arms of a God who is bigger, more inviting, and more inclusive than they’ve imagined.
I was first introduced to Kat Armas through her first book Abuelita Faith, an exploration of how voices on the margins have much to teach us about God. That theme continues in Sacred Belonging, as Armas attempts to disentangle Scripture from toxic power structures, offering a decolonized and often mystical reading of Scripture that is both thought-provoking and challenging.
Armas divides her forty-day devotional into five themes of eight devotions each. The five themes are 1) Creation, 2) Spirit, 3) The Body, 4) Wisdom, and 5) The Feminine. The result is a devotional that doesn’t feel quite cohesive from beginning to end. Armas never really explains how she came to these five themes, but they do all fit her personality and style of writing.
To give you an example of what a devotion is like, let me break down one of the devotions for you. On Day 17, Armas introduces readers to “A Disabled God.” This comes in the thematic section of The Body, where the devotions speak to the embodied-ness of faith. She contends that Western thinking typically reduces the body to something we have instead of something we are. I think that’s true in Eurocentric theology—a la a quote falsely attributed C.S. Lewis “You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.”—but I don’t know that comports with Western secular thinking, which has no belief in an afterlife. Nonetheless, she’s correct in that most Western theology, with an emphasis on the afterlife and soulishness, have taken a low view of the physical body—which is borne out in their theology.
Countering this theology, Armas makes the point that Christ’s post-resurrection body is presented to the disciples as disabled. The body is not “perfect,” but holds the scars of the violence done to that body. Heaven is not an ableist utopia and neither should that be what our churches strive for. Rather, understanding God as disabled saves us from the idols of perfection and efficiency. The point is solid and clear, but the argumentation Sacred Belonging takes to get there feels like it needs more flesh than a four-page devotion can give it. Armas is bringing out some deep and heavy topics, ones unfamiliar to most of her audience, and while she does a good job the brevity of a devotional is an inherent limitation that may make her writing feel rushed or incomplete.
The connection to Scripture is also not always clear. While I dislike devotionals are basically selected commentaries, I also dislike devotionals where the Scripture selection seems like an afterthought. Sacred Belonging’s discussion of Scripture is thematically appropriate and clear, but occasionally lacks the amount of integration to the narrative that I would like to see. That’s totally a personal preference on my part.
Overall, Sacred Belonging will leave you wanting more and in a good way. Some of things that I appreciated about it were also sources of frustration. I loved how it leaned into the mystical aspects of faith. I also wanted it to have more clarity. I enjoyed that it brought depth and substance to a devotional; I was occasionally frustrated that it didn’t feel like enough despite the length constraints. I liked that it stretched my boundaries; it also had things that I didn’t quite agree with. And maybe that’s how it should be: a challenging, immersive, passionate, and personal work that drives readers just a little bit out of their comfort zones and into the arms of a God who is bigger, more inviting, and more inclusive than they’ve imagined.
July 25, 2023
"Sacred Belonging: A 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture" is the newest Bible study by Kat Armas. Having followed Armas on Twitter, I was excited to read this devotional book. However, it was a bit different than I expected. First, the book is divided into five sections: body, creation, wisdom, spirit, and the feminine. Second, Armas believes in the existence of Indigenous gods and speaks quite a bit about them.
Each of the 40 days in this devotional includes a Scripture passage, personal anecdote, religious reflections, and then some questions to answer. While I think many will find this book helpful, it was not my personal preference. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Each of the 40 days in this devotional includes a Scripture passage, personal anecdote, religious reflections, and then some questions to answer. While I think many will find this book helpful, it was not my personal preference. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
January 26, 2024
“In this forty-day devotional, Cuban American writer Kat Armas shows us that reading the Bible with fresh eyes allows us to experience God in new and liberating ways.”
I first ‘met’ this author in her pages of Abuelita Faith. She was making the podcast circuit and I was drawn in by her stunning blend of feminism, anti-racism, and deep love of Scripture. Her IG platform has been a source of joy and learning ever since.
While some readers readers might be disappointed if they came to this work hoping for a Sister Beth-type study, these daily devotions, with their scripture, heartfelt anecdotes, calls-to-action, and personal questions are exactly what I was looking for.
Also: The cover is smashing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brazos Press for this life-giving ARC.
I first ‘met’ this author in her pages of Abuelita Faith. She was making the podcast circuit and I was drawn in by her stunning blend of feminism, anti-racism, and deep love of Scripture. Her IG platform has been a source of joy and learning ever since.
While some readers readers might be disappointed if they came to this work hoping for a Sister Beth-type study, these daily devotions, with their scripture, heartfelt anecdotes, calls-to-action, and personal questions are exactly what I was looking for.
Also: The cover is smashing.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brazos Press for this life-giving ARC.
September 17, 2023
Kat has done it again! I was privileged enough to participate in a small cohort of women who were able to read this prior to its release. And just like in Abuelita Faith, she did what she does best - encourage us to ask questions, center marginalized identities, build a decolonized faith. All our our liberation is tied up together and this devotional does a phenomenal job of expounding on that and highlighting all the “unconventional” ways we can see and connect to the divine ❤️🔥
February 11, 2024
This is not your typical 40-day tidy, devotional book. As I read, I was challenged many times to lay down preconceived, traditionally ingrained ideas of my place as a woman on this earth. It’s a sacred belonging. A belonging with God, with others and with creation. So hard to explain. It can sound woo woo & out there, but it’s so not that way. It’s a constant reminder of how thin the air is between this life and the next. ♥️♥️♥️
August 31, 2025
Finished this lovely devotional this morning. I’ve been learning from Kat for years and I appreciate her perspective and faith. The forty daily devotionals touch on creation, spirit, the body, wisdom, and the feminine. She shares such tender and personal experiences like losing family members, pregnancy and labor, and breastfeeding, tying them into such beautiful insights about scripture. If you’re looking for a different kind of devotional, this might be just what you need.
September 6, 2023
I was intrigued by the description of this devotional and am glad I picked it up. It was unlike any other book I've read, looking at scripture through lenses of embodiment, feminism, and liberation. It challenged me and I'd like to read it again with a discussion group.
I received an ARC from NetGalley. The book will be released on September 12.
I received an ARC from NetGalley. The book will be released on September 12.
June 9, 2025
BEAUTIFUL devotional that incorporates spiritual practices from many cultures and encourages readers to really connect to the elements of themselves.my favorite section was "The Feminine" bc it really was empowering as a woman. but all of these show how God is really visible in all of creation and our experiences. loved it so much!!
November 19, 2023
What a refreshing glass of water to my soul this devotional is! I have been longing to see and hear the Bible through the eyes of a woman. The way Kat sees the world and, in turn, interprets scripture is not only a balm but an inspiration for daily living.
December 11, 2023
Not your average devotional. The intro sums up this book beautifully. I am so glad to have Kat Armas's perspective each day. Will start again in the new year. So many things I've always been drawn to over the years are appreciated in here (cultures, not my own.) So glad Shannan reccd this!!
March 30, 2024
thoughtful and multifaceted
Great use of resources and references from a variety of traditions. Tackled topics such as climate justice, motherhood; racial justice; feminism and womanism with thoughtfulness and grace.
Great use of resources and references from a variety of traditions. Tackled topics such as climate justice, motherhood; racial justice; feminism and womanism with thoughtfulness and grace.
April 24, 2024
I had to switch from reading this as a ‘devotional’ in the morning to more of a faith resource. There are some chapters that truly helped me think about Scripture in new ways. I especially loved the section on ‘The Body.’
October 28, 2025
I'm not usually a huge fan of devotionals, but whew there is some deep wisdom here from Kat Armas. It did take me awhile to work through this as I occasionally read a chapter before bed, but this was a refreshing and thought-provoking read. 4.5 stars.
November 20, 2025
So many gems in this book. 40 invitations to engage with biblical texts and the world in creative and life-giving ways. My favourite section was The Feminine. The short conclusion is a treat as well.
December 17, 2025
Devotionals to me have always felt like homework that constantly puts you down - not this one. This 40 day devotional is a continual spiritual, political, theological advocacy for justice and fairness from the heart of God. Kat Armas has helped reconnect a tether to the divine for me.
November 20, 2023
Brilliant! Moving. Heart touching. I appreciate her views toward collective liberation and decolonization of the Bible.
December 1, 2023
This was refreshing and different and something I enjoyed for engaging in an open-handed way. I thought some of the sections got a little repetitive, but all in all worth the read.
December 20, 2023
I enjoyed this, it makes you think and shows things in a light they aren't normally seen in. Though there is some questionable exegesis and some anti-man stuff.
December 27, 2023
4.5- Beautiful.
January 5, 2024
DNF, not right for me
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews