On the third page of the Bible the world is changed forever when Adam and Eve commit the very first act of obedience and that act in the Garden of Eden changed the perfect world that God had spoken into existence.
The story is told that sometime later Adam was walking with his boys, Cain and Abel, and as they passed by the ruins of the Garden of Eden one of the boys asked their father, “What’s that?” Adam said back to him, son, that’s where your mother ate us out of house and home!”
A lot happens after their disobedience, the first try to cover up, but since their leaf loincloths were not very practical, God sacrificed an animal to clothe them. Adam and Eve were then banished from the Garden and began a new life as exiles away from their homeland.
This wasn’t the only time God’s people lived as exiles. The Israelites lived as slaves in Egypt then for 40 years they wandered 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. Included in that group was a young man by the name of Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. They were given the Babylonian names of Beltshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Incredibly, while these young men lived in exile, stripped from their families they still lived powerful, purposeful, prayer-filled lives. They lived on a diet that helped them find more energy than all of the other workers (slaves). They were bold to do what was right regardless of the obstacles placed in their path. And as a result, they made a difference and their impact is still felt today!
It is difficult for us to relate to their situation and to put ourselves in their shoes but according to 1 Peter 2:11-12 those of us who follow God today are also exiles. Peter writes: “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
Do you ever feel like you’re out of place here, like you just don’t fit in? Well, that’s a good thing!!! Because the truth is, YOU DON’T! You don’t fit in here simply because you are a child of God! You were made to live with Him! So, until we are united with Him at home in Heaven, then you and I remain exiles.
We, however, aren’t to live with our heads down and arms folded complaining about all the reasons why our life stinks. If anyone had reason to complain it was Daniel. A teenager, abducted and made a slave, forced to live under a new name that went completely against his heritage. Forced to be educated and train in the ways of the world. And yet, Daniel worked hard to be the best slave he could be.
He treated everyone with respect and chose his battles carefully and he continued to humbly and proudly serve his God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. Daniel knew that his life might be different than it was and it might not be the life he wanted but living a life for the glory of God had not changed! Daniel knew he could make a difference.
Church, the same is true for you and me. We are exiles right now, and life might not be going how you planned and want but eventually we are going home!! Eventually we will finally be where we were created to be but until then, we have things to do! There’s no time for pouting and self serving! 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 and when He does, our exile will be over and that’s when you and I will be in a place for all of eternity where we fit in!
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