The Story Chapter 18 / There Will Be a Day When You Feel Like You “Fit”

Sometime after Adam and Eve committed their world-changing act of disobedience in Garden of Eden, I can imagine Adam walking with his young sons Cain and Abel.  They happen to pass by the ruins of the Garden of Eden. One of the boys asked their father, “What’s that?” 

Adam replied, “Boys, that’s where your mother ate us out of house and home.”

A lot happens in Scripture following the time Adam and Eve took that bite of fruit that gave mankind perpetual indigestion.  As a result, they attempted the first cover up.  But since their leaf loincloths were not very practical, God sacrificed an animal to clothe them.  The pair was banished from the Garden and began life anew as exiles away from their homeland.

It wasn’t the only time God’s people lived as exiles.  They spent a few summers in Egypt.  Then more wandering in the wilderness of Sinai.  Later, the Babylonians captured the nation of Judah and deported its people to captivity. 

The first group deported included the young, elite men who would be trained as leaders.  In that group were Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Shadrach, and Azariah.  They were given the Babylonian names of Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego.  (If you decide to give your child a Babylonian name, you might try “Intobedwego.”)

While in exile these young men lived powerful, purposeful, prayer-filled lives.  They remained on a diet that helped them find more energy than other workers.  They prayed to their God when they were told not to.  They were bold to do what was right regardless of the obstacles placed in their path.  And they made a difference. 

It may be difficult to put yourself in their shoes, but according to 1 Peter 2:11-12 those who follow God today are exiles too.  Peter writes: “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the Gentiles that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 

You may have days when you just don’t seem to “fit” in this world and that’s a good thing. It’s simply because as a child of God you don’t.  You were made to live with him.  Until we are home in heaven, you and I are exiles.  Until then, we have things to do.  We can add some good to this life so that others can get a glimpse of God.  We can make a difference.

According to Peter there will be a day God will “visit” us.  That’s when the exile will end.  And that’s when you and I will “fit.”