Finding Our Place

Since 911, America has tried to find its place in the world, and especially the Mideast. It has become Obama’s chance to establish his place in history, not unlike a baseball star hoping to win a place in the Hall of Fame. I realize that finding one’s place in the world is both the hope and bane of human existence. Men and women of fame and success spend a lot of energy, and their fortunes, cementing their place among men.

The author of Hebrews speaks, however, of anonymous Hall of Faith-ers who never found a place on earth, going “about in goatskins, destitute (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and holes in the ground” (He. 11:38). They were homeless. To suggest we follow their example may seem a bit severe. But didn't Jesus exhibit the same spirit of detachment, “the Son of Man has no place?”

Because we are inclined to attach ourselves to places on earth, God “un-places” us—an often painful uprooting that allows Him to root us in Christ (Col 2:7). Jesus says, “find your place in Me, and My Father and I will come and make our place in you.” (John 14:23). Is there any other place you'd rather be?