Christian optimism is based on the fact that we do not fit in to the world. I had tried to be happy by telling myself that man is an animal, like any other which sought its meat from God. But now I really was happy, for I had learnt that man is a monstrosity. I had been right in feeling all things as odd, for I myself was at once worse and better than all things. The optimist’s pleasure was prosaic, for it dwelt on the naturalness of everything; the Christian pleasure was poetic, for it dwelt on the unnaturalness of everything in the light of the supernatural. The modern philosopher had told me again and again that I was in the right place, and I had still felt depressed even in accepting it. But I had heard that I was in the wrong place, and my soul sang for joy, like a bird in spring. The knowledge found out and illuminated forgotten chambers in the dark house of infancy. I knew now why grass had always seemed to me as queer as the green beard of a giant, and why I could feel homesick at home.
–G. K. Chesterton
Chesterton certainly was a man with a gift for words. He does a great job here of reminding us that the reason that we have discomfort and uneasiness in this world is that we weren’t designed for it. We don’t fit in here. Unlike all other created things, we were designed in the Image of God, and therefore we long to be in a place fit for that Image. That is why we often feel homesick even though we are in sitting in our own houses. Therefore, we are aliens in this place, sojourners longing to get home to our true country – the land where there is no need for a sun, because the light of the Son will provide us with all we need and desire.
But a problem is that many people, though they definitely feel that they don’t belong here, haven’t realized that the only place where they will feel “at home” is with God. They continue to fight against that idea, and if they do so until the end of their lives here on earth, refusing to choose to go to God’s country, then they will continue to feel discomfort and unease for all of eternity.
I am longing to go to my home with Jesus. I hope you realize that is the only place you will ever find true and lasting comfort, peace, and rest.