Being Home, Be-ing with God
"We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).
What comes to mind when you think of the word “home”? A building with walls, a ceiling, and rooms? Do you think of people? Of things you touch and smell? Is home a place? Is home a feeling? Is home an attitude–a mindset to adopt?
Now, think about your definition of another word: “belong.” What comes to mind when you try to define it? Is your definition of “belonging” connected to a physical location? Or is “belonging” a point of view? What defines your experience with the word “belong”?
This idea–of what it means to be home–and belong–is the focus of this Encounter. So, let’s take a few moments to call our hearts and minds to attention. We will invite Holy Spirit to lead us as we surrender to God’s leading and experience His love.
Holy Spirit, you are welcome here. Help me to breathe you in now, slowly and deeply.
Close your eyes and spend a few moments taking at least five deep, slow breaths.
Then, roll your shoulders up and back and gently rotate your head front, back, and side to side. Next, slowly stretch your arms, carefully rotate your wrists, and stretch out your fingers. And then, rotate your ankles, and flex your toes (you might want to take off your shoes). Again, breathe slowly and deeply.
Jesus, come into this space with me. Father, help me to experience you. Lead me in this encounter. I want to encounter you now.
Next, get out your journal and write down your thoughts sparked by the beginning questions at the very top of this sheet. Consider what “home” means to you. And then think about what you think it means to “belong.” These exchanges mark the beginning of your conversation–just you and God.
As you write down your answers to the questions about “home” and “belong,” be ready to hear God asking you questions. Let Him interject. Let Him invite you to ponder the words you’ve written. You don’t have to have anything figured out. There is no right and wrong. This encounter is just a time of exploration and vulnerability between you and your Dad.
Stay in conversation with God for at least two to five minutes.
Look at what you’ve written so far. Imagine God reading those words and saying, “Tell me more…”
Where is home, love? Where do you belong?
What is it like hearing God speaking to you? How is He making you feel? Breathe deeply. Allow your spirit to relax. It is just you two together.
Lord, this is where home is….
Lord, I belong…..
Stay here, in this posture of listening to and relaxing with God for at least five minutes.
Then, consider your questions for God about what home–and belonging means.
Father, where are you home? Where do you belong? Is home the place you inhabit? Will you tell me what you think of home?
As you continue your conversation, contemplate the following verses from Scripture:
"We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).
How is home, for you, a place that you might not be able to see?
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21: 1-2).
How does this description of heaven and earth play into your idea of home?
"My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places" (Isaiah 32:18).
What home does your heart long to inhabit? Where does your heart long to belong? Tell God what is on your heart. You might want to ask Him these same questions so you can hear what He has to say!
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’” (Psalm 91:1-2).
Read this verse a few times, allowing your spirit to quiet and consider what Holy Spirit is speaking to you.
Next, consider these questions:
When do you feel away from home? (When do you pull away and feel displaced from where you belong?) Name the circumstances, the emotions, the wounds, the insecurities, the agreements, the lies. Ask God for help as you let yourself feel and look deep into your heart. He knows you better than you know you. He knows how you feel. He knows your story. He knows how to answer these questions for you. Let Him. And then write down what He says in your journal.
Imagine your Father asking you:
What are the other places where you feel you do–and do not–belong?
How does “belonging” equal “home”?
How is home more than a place, or, at least, not only a place? How is home a be-ing? How can you be home always, wherever you are?
(Don’t answer these questions quickly. Your heart deserves honor and gentleness and care.)
Next, consider this idea:
Where does God belong?
Where is God’s home? Ask Him. Write down in your journal what you heard Him say.
Now, after this conversation with God, let’s define again what “home” and” belonging” means.
Look back at the top of today’s journal entry.
Do you want to make any modifications to your definition of “home” and “belonging” after your conversation with God?
Define “home” again. Define “belong” again. In list form, write down all the feelings “be-ing home” (being with God) gives you.
Linger here–in the emotions, the images, the songs He is singing over you. You are home. It is the one place you exist. It is where Holy Spirit invites you to be. It is where you are forever loved and you forever belong.
Amen.
