Sanctified Saturdays: A Place in the World

Psalm 16:5-6

THE PASSION TRANSLATION

Yahweh, you alone

are my inheritance.

You are my prize,

my pleasure, and

my portion.

You hold my destiny

and its timing in your hands.

Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places.

I’m overwhelmed

by the privileges

that come

with following you!

A PLACE IN THE WORLD

When I was younger, I knew I belonged to my family.

Or did I?

My older siblings teased me about being found under a cabbage leaf—as though I arrived any differently from them.

Mom told the story of how she was so certain I was a boy, that when I arrived, she insisted they had mixed up babies in the hospital. Once she saw me she knew right away I was hers. It was reassuring. Mostly.

Throughout my school years, I had varying success at fitting in. Eventually, in high school, I became a part of several groups, flitting from one to the next, like a butterfly sampling each one.

My college dorm was a place I tried to fit in, but my floor was filled with athletes training for the Olympics. Not me. I was the one who seriously bruised her kneecap while typing a term paper. Try explaining that one!

I wanted to be a missionary nurse, but then I met my husband at college and plans pivoted. I understood my place as a wife, and later as a mom. Mostly. I struggled to meet the needs of my family, bosses, and church, often burying my own. It was a demanding life that many times took more than I had to give. Sometimes I fantasized about running away to some tropical island where someone would take care of me for a change.

Jobs came and went, the children grew up and moved out, grandkids came. Retirement assured me I could finally focus on caring for myself. Which was fine. At first. It got boring.

Then a switch flipped when I discovered what the prophetic was about; hearing God's voice on a daily basis. It stirred such a hunger in me to go deeper in God, something I had given lip service to, but never seemed to achieve. Or fully surrendered to. I’d known that He would speak from time to time. I had gotten messages from Him; gentle nudges, ideas that wouldn't go away, scripture that seemed to come alive. But it was random, not often and somewhat mysterious.

Then I learned that He was speaking all the time. I could hear what He had to say any time I stopped to listen. This shifted things for me. Now I was motivated me to tune in. And get closer to this loving God, who was so much better than the one I had grown up knowing about. I wanted to know Holy Spirit, not just about Him. I didn’t want to grieve Him and shut down this new-found connection. I wanted to understand His distinct personality, this third person of the God-Head. And how they all worked together in harmony and unity.

This is where I truly found my place. Not only as part of a group, a family, or a job. But in God's lap, with Jesus and Holy Spirit. A place of intimacy with my Creator. He knew me best, and loved me most. From that happy place of union with Him, I found fulfillment and purpose.

Filled with His love and strength, I stepped into the place created for me. A place of influence and service. My place in the world.

Have you found your true home?