God Is Not Elsewhere

“Until that time you are here.” –Katsumoto to Captain Nathan Algren in The Last Samurai

In the 5^th century AD, Saint Benedict, founder of the Benedictine monastic movement added a vow to the current monastic vows of his day. In addition to the common vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, he added a fourth: the vow of stability.

The vow of stability called devout monks to remain where God had planted them. Rather than peering greedily or dejectedly into yards where the grass looked greener, these monks were to put down roots in their current assignments, trusting that God was not elsewhere.

That was essentially what the vow of stability communicated: God is not elsewhere, thus He can be found and experienced here.

Sometimes it takes great faith and courage to believe that, especially when the details of our lot in life seem to indicate otherwise. Yet it is true. He is present—the I Am, the Immanuel—here in this relationship at this time and in this place. And sometimes the only way to prove that is to stay.

The apostle Paul told Timothy to “remain at Ephesus” (1 Timothy 1:3), and he told Titus there was a reason Titus had been left in Crete (Titus 1:5). God’s purpose would be found and known if those young leaders had the strength to remain.

This doesn’t mean that God will never move us or change our current assignment, but it does suggest that people sometimes leave too soon, assuming that a change in people, scenery, or pace will fix their issues or reset their grace. Perhaps but perhaps not.

Let’s be ready and willing to move the second God says to move. But when He comes to give us those instructions let’s make sure He finds us right where He called and assigned us. As an expiring year ends and a New Year begins, let’s embrace the vow of stability in our stories. We are still here. And so is God. It is our duty and delight to find Him.