Living in the Secret Place.

In the 1980s, I read a book by a Swiss Theologian/Psychiatrist entitled "Looking for a Place". The whole thrust and theme of this book was the revelation that people of all tribes, tongues and kindreds are continually searching for a place of rest, fulfillment, significance, achievement and peace. In other words, people long for a dwelling place they can call home.
Of course this search runs much deeper than just a physical address or geographical location, though this is part of the equation. Many people are continually doing a "Geographical" to coin a term. This is a hope that in a new job, home, state, or country they will find the elusive "place" of destiny , love and significance.
It is described well by the saying "The grass is greener on the other side".
One commentator remarked that " The grass may or may not be greener, but one thing is certain, you will still have to mow it when you get there."
How true this is, we are often deluded into chasing pipe dreams or pots of gold at the end of the rainbow. Often, when we arrive at the imagined location of our, new place, we realize our perceptions are more often a disappointing mirage.
In the Bible-- Abraham, the old Jewish Patriarch and Father of Faith went out looking for " A City whose builder and maker is God". Of course in this case he was not deluded or on a wild goose chase, he was genuinely called by God to leave his home country and find the promised land.
Today people still want to find the "Promised Land" where God Himself is manifested to bless, lead and guide. The only problem is it can not be received on a natural,sensory level. We may be able to settle in a lovely area with good friends and neighbors and have the support of loving family
members but this, while important and wonderful, can never meet the deepest heartcry and yearning of the human spirit.
The Bible teaches that we are created by God and for God. People and things are not enough, we need to dwell in the "Secret Place" of Gods Presence.
Th old Hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" has a verse that describes it well.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

The book I read called "Looking for a Place" came to the conclusion that man will never find a perfect location here on earth, there will always be a sense of lack and longing here. Its only when we actually arrive in Heaven will we perfectly find what the human heart craves. This is true in the ultimate sense-- but God has made great provision while we live in this world. The Good News is that, we can enter into the very Throne of God by prayer and faith. We can experience the Eternal Blessings of Heaven even in this world of sadness and pain. We can have His Peace in the cruelest of lifes storms.


2 Corinthians16-18 (Message version)

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.