Today’s post is a giveaway! My guest blogger today – Susan Booth – is a dear friend and the author of the new book “Longing for Home.” Comment below for a chance to win a copy!
Have you ever been homesick? The deep feeling of “longing for home” resonates with people across many walks of life. A couple of weeks ago, a woman from my spin class posted a picture on Facebook of her former home in South Africa. When I commented that it was lovely and she must undoubtedly miss it, she wrote: “I think I left part of my soul there.”
Surely all of us have experienced the pangs of homesickness at one time or another. In today’s rootless world, people crave a place where they are well-known and well-loved. Even for those whose walls reverberate with love and laughter, there will come a time when the clamour fades, and favorite chairs sit empty.
Are you longing for home?
If we are honest, sometimes a restless yearning for home even steals its way into our hearts even when all looks well from the outside.
But what if home is not a place, but a Person?
Perhaps our vague yearnings for home point to none other than God himself. Intriguingly, Scripture whispers that the eternal God has been our dwelling place throughout all generations (Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:1). Astonishingly, Jesus promised that the Spirit of God himself takes up residence in the life of anyone who trusts and obeys him (John 14:16, 23).
Do you realize what an astounding statement that is? Almighty God desires to make his home in you! And he invites you to find your true home in him! That precious communion with God begins now—on this side of heaven.
Our deepest longing is for God Himself
What does it actually look like to make your home in Christ? Recognize that when you wake up, he is there; when you lie down, he is there. Weave his Word through every hour of your day.
Although you may still face an empty nest or an empty chair at the table, your heart will not be empty. The presence of God himself can fill you with his peace and strength and purpose. The God of reconciliation can mend broken hearts and broken homes. He adopts us into his family and knits us together into his dwelling place—the church.
No matter what you’re facing today, rest assured that Jesus is with you. Set aside time to linger in his presence. Heed his invitation: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). As you do, listen for the words you long to hear: “Welcome home!”
What are some ways you sense the deep longing for your true, eternal home with God? (Comment below for a chance to win a copy of “Longing for Home.”)
Longing for Home?
In her new book, “Longing for Home,” Susan Booth beautifully describes God’s answer to our spiritual homesickness – His presence with us. Beginning with the creation account and mankind’s once unhindered communion with God, Booth traces the thread of God’s promise of full restoration. This beautiful, unique book will give you a new perspective on God’s big story and His promises to us. This versatile resource can be used on your own or with a group. Each chapter begins with an imaginative re-telling of key biblical events. Each chapter also includes questions for group discussion and meditational readings for personal reflection. “Longing for Home” reminds us of awe-inspiring truth – God Himself is our true home.
Susan Maxwell Booth serves as the Professor of Evangelism and Missions at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary & College in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. Susan and her husband Steve are under appointment with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. They lived in Budapest, Hungary, for seven years before transferring to Canada in 2000. Susan has a PhD from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of “Longing for Home” and “The Tabernacling Presence of God.”
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What a gift your words are! God spoke to me through many moves & through that I learned to seek Him and allow His Word to anchor me. I can’t imagine the wisdom in this book if this is a glimpse!
Hi Jen, thanks for coming by and commenting! I have already read Susan’s book and it is definitely full of this kind of wisdom! You are entered!
This question is hard to answer with words. I feel a longing for heaven when I sing worship songs of seeing Him face to face. I get teary.
Lila, when we worship I believe heaven cracks open for us. That’s what taking place in heaven right now – continuous worship of our worthy God! You are entered in the drawing!
I’m feeling that way today, longing for the arms of God. I want to feel his Presence today here and now, but more than that I want to be welcomed home by Him.
Elise, I feel the same! You are entered in the drawing!
The introduction to this book really peeks my interest. I can identify with that longing for home
when surrounded by the unfamiliar, but knowing the Lord is always with us, where ever we end up, does give us an assurance like no other. I would love to read Susan’s book to see a knew perspective.
Susanne, thanks for entering! Susan’s book truly is unique! She shows us readers God’s theme of home through all of Scripture.
I am 76 and the older I get, the more I long to be with my saviour! What a glorious day that will be!
Nancy, it will indeed be the most glorious day! You are entered!
I grow more each day in the words of the lord
Hi! Thanks for coming by! You are entered in the drawing!
Sometimes I grow weary of the battle. I yearn for Jesus to return or take me home. Other times I long for struggling loved ones to get to go on home before I do so that their battle is over and they see our Savior. The certainty that He is our home no matter where we are is great comfort.
Amen! Love this: “The certainty that He is our home no matter where we are!” You are entered in the giveaway!
I would love a copy of this book. I am longing for home, and it gets stronger every day. I have allowed my relationship with God to weaken, and I need to rebuild it. I also need some encouragement to get back to teaching Bible study, and I feel this book would help tremendously. Thank you for the opportunity to have a chance to win a copy.
Hi Medenna! I am so glad you long to strengthen your relationship with God and your service to Him and the church! You are entered in the giveaway!
Thank you!
great essay!
You are entered in the drawing!
Kathy, I had one of those “longing” moments this weekend. My 5 year old granddaughter asked me what my parents names were. Then she asked me where they lived. I told her “they live in heaven with Jesus”. She looked thoughtfully at me as I also told her because they loved Jesus so very much, when they died, they were able to go live with Him in heaven. We could do that to, when we love Jesus with all our hearts. She seemed satisfied with that answer. Longing moments come at different times and different things trigger them, but that has been my most recent. I got to share with Ada too, and that made it so sweet. (and I am a 3rd generation IMB supporter with prayers, giving, and going. so thankful for their work)
Carol, thank you for sharing that story! You shared the “longing” with your granddaughter! You are entered in the giveaway!
Every day, I want more and more of God!
Amen! Karen, you are entered in the giveaway!
I’ve felt lost ever since our move to MO nearly 34 years ago. However, home isn’t in WI anymore either.
I must admit I wish I felt like I belonged here, but hard as we’ve tried, we’ve never been able to sink our roots into the hard clay. The kids are all grown so the house is feeling empty. We talk of selling but don’t know where God wants us to go. So for now…this is where we live.
I’m so thankful that our good good Father has been on this journey every minute. Someday we will see Him face to face. What a day that will be when we are truly home!!!
Oh Susan, I hear you! We have moved a number of times and some have been easier than others. We moved the last time about 9 months and still don’t feel like we belong here yet. I pray God will give you clear direction and in the meantime you can know deeply that your home is always with Him! You are entered in the drawing!
As I said before (hope this goes where it’s supposed to) I hear Him in the trees with the wind, the whisper of the rain, the speech of the thunder
Cheryl, you are entered!
For me it seems that when I am at home, I dream of going away somewhere nice on vacation. Then when I do get away, I would rather be at home where I know that I belong.
Crazy isn’t it how discontent we can be sometimes? The Apostle Paul said he had learned the secret of being content. That secret is that we find all our sufficiency in Jesus. You are entered in the giveaway!
When I hear the old hymns that have been cast aside by peppy worship ditties, my heart fills with longing for home. These songs are so deep and express the desire to know and love and experience the love of God. There’s “in the Garden,” with its message of communion and quiet, and “The Old Rugged Cross,” with its sacrificial message. And there’s “It is Well,” which talks about a deep, abiding peace that transcends turmoil. Hearing these hymns that I grew up on and still mean so much to me stirs a longing in my soul to go home to the God who loves me.
Kim, I love those old hymns as well. You are entered in the drawing!
I’m a Scot living who is currently living in TX. It’s exactly 20 years since I left Scotland, little knowing that a move to the relatively close London would be the start of long and winding journey around the planet. My babies were born in the Netherlands and, like Susan, my journey also took me to Budapest, Hungary. I was surprised, given language would no longer be an issue, to fully face homesickness head on when we moved to TX. I miss my people (my family in Scotland and many friends I have made on the way), but I am not sure I would even fit in in Scotland if I were to move back tomorrow. God has tenderly replaced the ache I felt with a dependence on Him and a taste of my one true Home, where my accent and my cultural roots will no longer single me out.
Alex, thank you for that testimony! God has used your moving to foster your dependence on Him! You are entered in the drawing!
Ladies, I love reading all these comments about your own longings for home! Wish I could visit with each of you and share our hearts in person over a cup of coffee/tea! The amazing thing is that Jesus does just that! Blessings, Susan Booth
Having moved 13 times in 43 years of marriage Home is only going to be in heaven. Thank you Susan for reminding us where our home truly is