Sometime after Adam and Eve committed their world-changing act of disobedience in Garden of Eden, I
can imagine Adam walking with his young sons Cain and Abel. They happen to pass by the ruins of the
Garden of Eden. One of the boys asked their father, “What’s that?”
Adam replied, “Boys, that’s where your mother ate us out of house and home.”
A lot happens in Scripture following the time Adam and Eve took that bite of fruit that gave mankind
perpetual indigestion. As a result, they attempted the first cover up. But since their leaf loincloths were
not very practical, God sacrificed an animal to clothe them. The pair was banished from the Garden and
began life anew as exiles away from their homeland.
It wasn’t the only time God’s people lived as exiles. They spent a few summers in Egypt. Then more
wandering 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. In that group
were Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Shadrach, and Azariah. They were given the Babylonian names
of Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego. (If you decide to give your child a Babylonian
name, you might try “Intobedwego.”)
While in exile these young men lived powerful, purposeful, prayer-filled lives. They remained on a diet
that helped them find more energy than other workers. They prayed to their God when they were told
not to. They were bold to do what was right regardless of the obstacles placed in their path. And they
made a difference.
It may be difficult to put yourself in their shoes, but according to 1 Peter 2:11-12 those who follow God
today are exiles too. Peter writes: “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful
desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the Gentiles that, though they accuse
you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
You may have days when you just don’t seem to “fit” in this world and that’s a good thing. It’s simply
because as a child of God you don’t. You were made to live with him. Until we are home in heaven, you
and I are exiles. Until then, we have things to do. 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. That’s when the exile will end. And that’s
when you and I will “fit.”
Read The Story. Experience The Story. Used with permission © Zondervan 2010
Chris Truett
