students of jesus

I struggled for years to find my way into God’s presence, but this was not time wasted: the journey sharpened my hunger, strengthened my heart, and transformed my life. 

Come; take the trip with me in miniature, through the grace-filled words of Psalm 84. This Psalm has been my companion along the way, and I'd love for you to meet my fellow traveler.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
    Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints,
    for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
    for the living God.

Hunger and yearning cause us to set off after God. The Creator made us to thirst for him. At last, when we are overwhelmed by drought we leave our place in search of his.

Even the sparrow has found a home,
    and the swallow a nest for herself,
    where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
    Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
    they are ever praising you.

In the earliest steps of our journey, we begin to recognize all creation is searching for him. We begin to imagine what this God-place could be, filled with men and nature, all praising him.

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place of springs;
    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
    till each appears before God in Zion.

“The Valley of Baka” may sound strange in our ears, but those who first heard these words actually heard “the valley of weeping.” Our sorrows have been our fellow travelers all along, but we travel by the Spirit’s leading: the ground drinks the salty tears and streams of fresh water gush forth. Even before we arrive at his house he sends us strength.

Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
    listen to me, God of Jacob.
Look on our shield, O God;
    look with favor on your anointed one

Refreshed by the great of exchange of tears for streams for living water, we begin to believe that the strange, ancient God who welcomed a rascal like Jacob might actually look with favor upon us. It is a daring hope!

Better is one day in your courts
    than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
    than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
    the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
    from those whose walk is blameless.

Finally, our value systems begin to align with our hunger. No matter how lavish the tents of the wicked, they are temporary: not even a thousand passing days can equal one day of eternity. We discover solid things like favor, honor, and God’s very presence are the permanent things worth having—and he does not withhold them from any honest pilgrim!

Lord Almighty,
    blessed is the one who trusts in you.

Our true home is trust, and it’s open to us all.

I struggled for years to find my way to God’s house without realizing he lead me in every step. In the end, I didn’t so much find a house as discover his presence. Won’t you join me on this pilgrim way?