Where I Belong

Over this past year, or really throughout my entire life, I've tried to figure out where I'm meant to be, where I belong. During all of my thinking and figuring, I've learned quite a bit about where I don't belong.

I don't belong in Yankton, my interesting hometown.
I don't belong in Sioux Falls, my beloved college town.
I don't belong in South Dakota.
I don't belong in the good ol' US of A.
I don't belong in North America.

But, I also don't belong in Kumasi.
I don't belong in Ghana.
I don't belong in Africa.

I don't belong in South America.
I don't belong in Europe.
I don't belong in Asia.
I don't belong in Australia.
And I most certainly do not belong in Antarctica. Brrr. Ick.

That about covers it. I simply don't belong. See, I've covered all the continents:

I've spent so much time thinking about a home, a permanent home. You know, one that lasts longer than a year at a time. I have this rational, irrational fear of being a nomadic Christian. I desire consistency. I don't want to be homeless.

But then I look at Jesus. He once said, "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head" (Luke 9:58). He's basically saying, "I, Jesus, the Son of Man, the highly anticipated Messiah, am homeless. I lack consistency. I lack comfort. Following me means following this. No guarantee of a home. Just me." Crap. Do you now see how rational my seemingly irrational fear is? Yep. Oofta.

At first, it seems really scary. Then, it becomes comforting. I don't have to worry about belonging in a place. I only have to focus on following Jesus. I may never have a permanent home. I may never have a den or a nest. But I don't need those things, because the God of the Universe didn't need those things when He came to earth.

The beauty of all of this, is that I haven't just found out where I don't belong. I've finally found where I belong.

There's a song by Cory Asbury called "Where I Belong." It fits well with this post, right? Some of his lyrics say,

I've finally found where I belong
I've finally found where I belong, in your presence
I've finally found where I belong, Lord
To be with you, to be with you
 

I belong with Him in His presence. That's all that matters. That's it. So simple, so beautiful, so stress-free. I can now stop worrying about a location and simply focus on resting in His glorious presence. I hope you can take some time to rest in that beautiful place as well.