Jesus says, "I have revealed you to those who you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word." John 17:6
It's interesting that Jesus says of the disciples that they belonged to the Father before they came to Him. Think of all the ramifications of that - that we belonged to the Father before we came to Jesus! Our lives have always been in his care. We have always belonged.
It's encouraging too for those whose lives we are involved in.