Find My Way Home

A striking characteristic of life on this planet is the sense that something is missing.  Most feel a keen sense of longing that seems almost impossible to satisfy.  Whether the search is directed towards material possessions and accomplishments, power and prestige, intimacy and understanding, or belonging and community, all efforts eventually fall short.

In August 1969 Blind Faith released their one and only album, with the song Steve Winwood wrote called "Can't Find My Way Home".  Winwood's haunting vocals and Clapton's acoustical guitar captured the angst of the youth culture of that era.  Even today the lyrics express what many feel- a longing to find a sense of peace and security in life that is best expressed as "home".

I personally experienced this angst.  As a teen I knew there must be something more to life than what I was experiencing, but I did not know where to look.  I felt "lost".  I could relate to Winwood when he sang, "I can't find my way home."

Jesus understood our lostness.  John expressed it well…"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Mt 9:36

It wasn't until the end of my freshmen year in college that I started to find the answers I craved.  I had read through all the red printing in my family bible and saw Jesus as someone to follow, but I wasn't sure how to proceed. Finally in the Spring of 1975 another student at Penn State explained what it meant to trust Christ as Savior and Lord.  I eagerly invited Christ to come into my life as Savior and take control as Lord.  That night I told my roommate, "I think I've found the answer to life."

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God," Jn 1:12

The scripture teaches us several dramatic things happen the moment we receive Christ by faith:

1. Christ comes into your life (Revelation 3:20 and Colossians 1:27).

2. Your sins are all forgiven (Colossians 1:14).

3. You become a child of God (John 1:12).

4. You receive eternal life (John 5:24).

5. You begin the great adventure for which God created you (John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18).

In the weeks and months that followed, as I read scripture, I discovered the reality of some of these truths.  My life was changing dramatically- even in ways I could not explain.  I had a new sense of acceptance and appreciation for those around me.  I set aside several old habits and addictions that had plagued me.  But, above all, I grew much closer to God and the person of Christ.  I was so impressed with Jesus as I read about Him in the gospel accounts.  I wanted to love and obey Him.

But I found there was still some longing that I could not explain.

I had found "the way home".  I could no longer say with Winwood that, "I can't find my way home."  I could honestly say I had found the way home.  But I must honestly say "I haven't arrived home, yet."  At least not fully.

"Already, but not yet"

What I've discovered is that this sense of finding the truth, but not fully experiencing has been identified and explain by theologian Gerhardus Vos early in the 20th century. It holds that "believers are actively taking part in the kingdom of God, although the kingdom will not reach its full expression until sometime in the future. We are “already” in the kingdom, but we do “not yet” see it in its glory."

It's crucial that all Christians understand this reality.

True contentment, even for the mature Christian, is a quest, not a certainty.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain" 1 Tim 6:6

It's natural for Christians to continue to long for their heavenly home.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Phil 1:21-23

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Ro 8:22-23

Not only do we "groan" and wait eagerly for the future Kingdom, but all creation with us.  It's important to recognize this continual longing and to understand it's dynamic in our lives.  To not recognize it is to open ourselves to needless frustration and even temptation.

• Finding a sense of purpose or calling may be obscured.
• Seasons of life may be harder adjustments.
• Relational conflicts can be more difficult to resolve.

Some marriages have been in jeopardy simply because one spouse may have unrealistic expectations about what a perfect marriage should look like.  Others move into mid-life crisis with a deep sense of disillusionment not knowing that much of the dissatisfaction is just about living in a fallen world.

Blaise Pascal said, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made know through Jesus Christ.”

Winwood and Clapton sang, "I Can't Find My Way Home."

I say, "I can find my way home, but I'm not fully there yet."