Our experience isn't new to the people of God. From early on, God has always called his people to be longing, looking, searching for something more than the status quo. Because of the resurrection of Christ we are living "between the times" - we are living in the overlap of two ages. The Kingdom has both come and is still coming. It leaves us all with a little bit of longing. Reflecting on our three years in Ireland and on life in general I recently penned the following.
A Little Bit of Longing
Abraham longed for a country – a land that he could call his
home.
He was looking for a city - a place with foundations from
not to roam.
But in longing he was left; left to ramble on; ramble on and
not to find.
From a distance he glimpsed the promise, but he met it only
in his mind.
I’ve felt feelings of transcendence; longing for something
beyond this time and place.
Because living in the here and now is never easy, it’s
always easier to escape.
If home is where your heart is, you should be sure that your
heart has a home.
If you’re disconnected from your feelings, your mind and
body will always roam.
I’m certain that eternity has both a time and a place – both
a time and a space.
It isn’t just forever, or never, nor is it simply a never
ending race.
And though God has placed eternity deep within the home
of our hearts,
Within our minds we fail to grasp it – left with nothing
more than stops and starts.
And on this earth, this globe, this round ball, spinning
round and round.
We’re not just travelling round in circles; we’re headed for
higher ground.
A renewed city, a renewed country, renewed heavens, and a renewed
earth –
From the shell of the old creation, a transformed creation
will come to birth.
Though I hope for that bright future – new roots, new soil,
and a new home.
I’m left in limbo at the moment, content to be here, yet longing
still to roam.
So living here and living now - living - and yet never
quite belonging.
This cross-cultured existence will always leave me with a
little bit of longing.
- Shay
