Have you ever felt that deep ache, not just missing your house while on vacation, but a profound longing for somewhere you truly belong? That restlessness isn’t just psychological; it’s deeply spiritual and biblical.

The Universal Experience of Exile

Scripture reveals that exile is woven throughout human history. It began in Genesis when Adam and Eve were driven from Eden, continued with Israel’s captivity in Babylon, and persists in our lives today. It is important to remember, “We are all born into exile,” separated from God and from life as it was meant to be.

This universal condition explains why we feel that nagging homesickness when scrolling through disturbing news, standing at a loved one’s graveside, or simply waking up with an inexplicable emptiness. We’re designed for intimate relationship with God, but sin has broken that connection.

Different Paths to Exile

Not all exile comes from personal sin. Joseph was sold into slavery by jealous brothers. David fled from Saul despite his faithfulness. John was banished to Patmos for preaching the gospel. Your own feelings of exile might stem from:

• A highly consequential mistake that’s pushed you to society’s margins
• Unwanted outcomes and missed opportunities creating regret
• Shame from wounds inflicted by others
• Profound loss of a spouse, home, career, or community

Whatever your path to exile, the feelings are painfully similar: fear, guilt, sadness, anger, loneliness, and doubt. Questions plague your mind: Is this how my story ends? Will I be banished forever? Where is God in all this?

The God Who Doesn’t Abandon

Even when Israel’s exile was direct punishment for disobedience, God promised hope through Isaiah: “As the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land” (Isaiah 6:13).

God doesn’t abandon His people in exile. The desolation is never the final word. Even from scorched stumps, new life can emerge.

If you’re feeling exiled today, take heart. Your current pain, however intense, isn’t the conclusion of your story. The God who entered our exile through Jesus Christ promises to bring you home.

In the second article, we’ll explore how the biblical book of Lamentations gives voice to our experiences of exile and provides a pathway toward hope.

Where do you struggle with feeling like an exile? Which of these questions plague your mind: Is this how my story ends? Will I be banished forever? Where is God in all this? Share your reflections in the comments below.