July 8th, 2025
by Jeremy Erb
by Jeremy Erb
Finding Our True Home in God's Presence
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, where do we find true peace and belonging? As we navigate the complexities of modern life, many of us experience a deep sense of restlessness, an ache for something more. This longing isn't just a product of our times - it's a fundamental aspect of our human nature.
We are, in essence, spiritual amphibians. Just as amphibians require both water and land to thrive, we are created for two realms - the physical and the spiritual. We are made of dust, rooted in the earth, but also breathed into by the very spirit of God. This dual nature means that we can never be fully satisfied by material things alone. We need connection with the divine to truly flourish.
The Psalmist beautifully captures this longing in Psalm 84: "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God." This isn't just poetic language - it's a visceral, all-encompassing hunger for God's presence. The sons of Korah, who penned this psalm, knew intimately what it meant to dwell in sacred space. They served in the tabernacle and temple, experiencing daily the intersection of heaven and earth.
But what about those of us who don't have constant access to such sacred spaces? The psalm offers hope, describing those "in whose heart are the highways to Zion." Even as we journey through life's valleys, we can cultivate a heart orientation towards God. We can make the pursuit of His presence our primary aim.
This pursuit isn't about escaping the world, but about learning to live as true spiritual amphibians. It's about finding strength and joy in God's presence, even amidst life's challenges. The psalm speaks of those who, passing through the Valley of Baca (a place of weeping), make it a place of springs. Our tears can become life-giving water when we're rooted in God's love.
However, in our modern world, we face countless distractions that can dull our spiritual appetite. We often settle for quick fixes and temporary relief instead of the deep satisfaction found in God alone. The prophet Jeremiah speaks to this, lamenting that God's people "have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13).
How often do we do the same? We try to quench our spiritual thirst with the shallow streams of entertainment, achievement, or material possessions. But these broken cisterns can never truly satisfy. They may offer momentary relief, but they leave us emptier in the long run.
The invitation of Psalm 84 is to recognize the absolute superiority of life with God. "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere," the Psalmist declares. This isn't about religious duty, but about discovering the source of true life and joy. God is described as both sun and shield - the source of all life and our ultimate protection.
Jesus echoes this truth in the Sermon on the Mount: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). When we orient our lives around pursuing God's presence and His Kingdom, we find that everything else falls into place.
Through Christ, we have an even greater promise than the sons of Korah. Jesus himself becomes the true temple, the meeting place of heaven and earth. In Him, we find our true home. The writer of Hebrews tells us that through Christ, we have come "to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem" (Hebrews 12:22).
Moreover, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we ourselves become temples of God's presence. Paul writes, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). The presence that the sons of Korah longed for is now available to us in a profound and personal way.
This reality calls us to a new way of living. We are invited to "keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25), allowing God's presence to shape our desires, guide our steps, and transform us from the inside out. It's a daily dance of surrender and trust, learning to move at the Spirit's pace and direction.
For many of us, the idea of having such a deep appetite for God may seem foreign or unrealistic. Our spiritual appetites, like our physical ones, are shaped by what we regularly consume. If we constantly fill ourselves with the noise and distractions of the world, it's no wonder our souls feel numb to the things of God.
The good news is that spiritual appetite can be cultivated. It starts with small, intentional choices in our daily lives. We can begin by making space - turning down the noise, setting aside time to be quiet before God, reading scripture, or simply sitting in His presence. We might fast from the things that most easily distract us, whether that's social media, television, or constant busyness.
As we create space for God, we can ask Him to awaken our hunger for Him. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied," Jesus promised (Matthew 5:6). The more we taste of God's goodness, the more we'll want it.
In a world that's constantly shaking, we have an anchor in God's unchanging presence. We're called to be so rooted in His love, so confident in His promises, that we remain standing even when everything around us falls apart. This isn't because of our own strength, but because we're connected to the source of all strength.
The invitation is clear: stop settling for the broken cisterns this world offers. Plunge your soul into the presence of God. Be the spiritual amphibians you were created to be, breathing the air of heaven even as you walk on earth. Cultivate an appetite for God that's so real, so visceral, that those around you can't help but notice.
For in the end, it's only in God's presence that we find our true home, our deepest satisfaction, and the strength to face whatever life may bring. As Saint Augustine famously wrote, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, where do we find true peace and belonging? As we navigate the complexities of modern life, many of us experience a deep sense of restlessness, an ache for something more. This longing isn't just a product of our times - it's a fundamental aspect of our human nature.
We are, in essence, spiritual amphibians. Just as amphibians require both water and land to thrive, we are created for two realms - the physical and the spiritual. We are made of dust, rooted in the earth, but also breathed into by the very spirit of God. This dual nature means that we can never be fully satisfied by material things alone. We need connection with the divine to truly flourish.
The Psalmist beautifully captures this longing in Psalm 84: "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God." This isn't just poetic language - it's a visceral, all-encompassing hunger for God's presence. The sons of Korah, who penned this psalm, knew intimately what it meant to dwell in sacred space. They served in the tabernacle and temple, experiencing daily the intersection of heaven and earth.
But what about those of us who don't have constant access to such sacred spaces? The psalm offers hope, describing those "in whose heart are the highways to Zion." Even as we journey through life's valleys, we can cultivate a heart orientation towards God. We can make the pursuit of His presence our primary aim.
This pursuit isn't about escaping the world, but about learning to live as true spiritual amphibians. It's about finding strength and joy in God's presence, even amidst life's challenges. The psalm speaks of those who, passing through the Valley of Baca (a place of weeping), make it a place of springs. Our tears can become life-giving water when we're rooted in God's love.
However, in our modern world, we face countless distractions that can dull our spiritual appetite. We often settle for quick fixes and temporary relief instead of the deep satisfaction found in God alone. The prophet Jeremiah speaks to this, lamenting that God's people "have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13).
How often do we do the same? We try to quench our spiritual thirst with the shallow streams of entertainment, achievement, or material possessions. But these broken cisterns can never truly satisfy. They may offer momentary relief, but they leave us emptier in the long run.
The invitation of Psalm 84 is to recognize the absolute superiority of life with God. "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere," the Psalmist declares. This isn't about religious duty, but about discovering the source of true life and joy. God is described as both sun and shield - the source of all life and our ultimate protection.
Jesus echoes this truth in the Sermon on the Mount: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). When we orient our lives around pursuing God's presence and His Kingdom, we find that everything else falls into place.
Through Christ, we have an even greater promise than the sons of Korah. Jesus himself becomes the true temple, the meeting place of heaven and earth. In Him, we find our true home. The writer of Hebrews tells us that through Christ, we have come "to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem" (Hebrews 12:22).
Moreover, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we ourselves become temples of God's presence. Paul writes, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). The presence that the sons of Korah longed for is now available to us in a profound and personal way.
This reality calls us to a new way of living. We are invited to "keep in step with the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25), allowing God's presence to shape our desires, guide our steps, and transform us from the inside out. It's a daily dance of surrender and trust, learning to move at the Spirit's pace and direction.
For many of us, the idea of having such a deep appetite for God may seem foreign or unrealistic. Our spiritual appetites, like our physical ones, are shaped by what we regularly consume. If we constantly fill ourselves with the noise and distractions of the world, it's no wonder our souls feel numb to the things of God.
The good news is that spiritual appetite can be cultivated. It starts with small, intentional choices in our daily lives. We can begin by making space - turning down the noise, setting aside time to be quiet before God, reading scripture, or simply sitting in His presence. We might fast from the things that most easily distract us, whether that's social media, television, or constant busyness.
As we create space for God, we can ask Him to awaken our hunger for Him. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied," Jesus promised (Matthew 5:6). The more we taste of God's goodness, the more we'll want it.
In a world that's constantly shaking, we have an anchor in God's unchanging presence. We're called to be so rooted in His love, so confident in His promises, that we remain standing even when everything around us falls apart. This isn't because of our own strength, but because we're connected to the source of all strength.
The invitation is clear: stop settling for the broken cisterns this world offers. Plunge your soul into the presence of God. Be the spiritual amphibians you were created to be, breathing the air of heaven even as you walk on earth. Cultivate an appetite for God that's so real, so visceral, that those around you can't help but notice.
For in the end, it's only in God's presence that we find our true home, our deepest satisfaction, and the strength to face whatever life may bring. As Saint Augustine famously wrote, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."
Jeremy Erb
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