“God gave up the heavenly place and took a humble place among mortal men and women. God became displaced so that nothing human would be alien and the brokenness of our human condition could be fully experienced. […] Jesus becomes the most displaced human being. Thus, Jesus’ displacement, which began with his birth in Bethlehem, finds its fullest expression in his death on a cross outside the walls of Jerusalem.”
Compassion, A Reflection on the Christian Life. Chapter: Displacement pg. 69
Fully aware of our wanderings, our maker’s heart ached to be with us in displacement. Forced to leave our natural place of birth, Eden, he longed to bring us home, to relieve us from our wanderings, our homelessness. To do so he compassionately and voluntarily left his native home to immerse himself in life’s sufferings alongside us in an alien land.
Voluntary displacement becomes our spiritual reality and our call when we join our lives with Christ. We started our journey forcibly sent to wander due to sin, but we transform into intentional pilgrims following Jesus when we voluntarily embrace our spiritual displacement. Though our sin made way for the physical reality of our displacement, our relationship with Jesus ushers in our voluntary and spiritual displacement thus removing us from the grips of earth and setting our lives in pilgrimage toward heaven, our new home. Thus, we collectively become fellow travelers and pilgrims on the way. Our voluntary displacement, now our collective commonality and purpose, creates community amongst each another; a family takes shape.
In, You’re Displaced Too, I shared how our earthly displacement is our commonality. We’ve all experienced being moved from our familiar places in some shape or form. Migration, immigration, moving house, going off to college, taking a new job, we’ve all left comfort in order to move–willingly or not. Fully recognizing our general displacement is what draws us together as people. This can happen apart from Christ. It makes a way for us to no longer look at one another as strangers, but rather as friends. Each of us knows what it is to wander. Our pilgrim-ness is our sameness, it is the bridge that connects us.
So like us, Jesus enters the humanness of displacement. He comes to be with us in our pilgrim-ness. The core of his life was that of wandering, sleeping on dirt floors, depending on others for shelter and food, being pushed out of his hometown, disliked, loved, unwanted, called by God, and lonely. Yet, he embraced humankind’s general displacement in a voluntary manner that revolutionizes the course of all aimless wanderings. When we converge with him in life’s journey we stare down a fork in the road. One direction that furthers our general displacement and one that follows Jesus toward purpose and intentionality; voluntary displacement in a new direction, one not previously offered. The single path that once led toward displaced suffering has split, making an option toward healing, home, community, wholeness, love–a new beginning.
When we voluntarily join Jesus in an intentional spiritual displacement we join with those who’ve chosen that path. The general displacement of being moved that involves understanding each other’s losses, fears, hurt, and sadness (our collective sufferings) no longer has to be the only way to live our displaced lives. Voluntary displacement alongside Christ moves us to celebrate life’s sufferings because we are not bound by them. A communal hope arises on the path of voluntary displacement because of promised restoration to our intended place as a family.
Bold Realities of Voluntary Displacement
Jesus definitely doesn’t make voluntary displacement look flashy or desirable. In fact, look at the demands Jesus makes of those who desire to follow him in this way of life:
- “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.” Luke 14:26-7 (The Message)
- “Then there’s only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22 (The Message)
- “First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God’s kingdom!” Then another said, “I’m ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.” Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.” Luke 9: 60-62 (The Message)
- Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!
These requirements are bold and demanding. They require fierce obedience to the one who has compassion on us and knows personally the cost of wholeness and life. He does not sugar-coat our present earthly displacement nor the spiritual displacement that will bring hope, healing, and life. He knows they are not purchased so easily, so that is why you must volunteer. He doesn’t force us to choose this because he understands the pain in the sacrifice. He understands what we must let go of in order to follow him. The choice lies with us.
Pilgrims on the Way
If we choose this path of voluntary displacement, our ordinary lives transform into an extraordinary adventure as we recognize our shared pilgrim-ness as displaced men and women. Our borders fade, our cultures expand, our compassion grows our communities increase as we embrace our sameness in displacement. Suddenly we recognize we have a great deal more in common with those around us than we often give them credit. Our eyes see clearly that we can truly love our neighbors as ourselves because we are walking the same path together toward the same destination.
Not only that, as a follower of Jesus, the ultimate displaced person, he aids us in letting go of areas our lives that keep us from deeper intimacy with God or that muddle our purpose.
We’ve looked at Jacob, Ruth, Daniel, John, and Jesus as just a few of God’s displaced pilgrims. Each story uniquely different, yet telling of God’s compassion and how he meets us in displacement or guides us into it. You could easily add your name to the list as your story unfolds each day as a pilgrim on the way.
Further Reflections…
- As you read through the displaced pilgrims series, did you find yourself identifying with one person’s story? What is your displacement story; the earthly one or your spiritual pilgrimage?
- Recognizing our common displacement among all peoples is perhaps the first step toward community building. How have you been able to embrace your displacement? How can it help you relate to others?
- Jesus voluntarily displacement himself in order to be with us, to walk with us in all manners of life. He made a great many sacrifices and he asks the same of us. Are there any areas in your life in which you still need let go?
- A final word from Henry Nouwen, “Voluntary displacement is a part of the life of each Christian. It leads away from the ordinary and proper places, whether this is noticed by others or not; it leads to a recognition of each other as fellow travelers on the road and thus creates community. Finally, voluntary displacement leads to compassion; by bringing us closer to our own brokenness it opens our eyes to our fellow human beings, who seek our consolation and comfort.” (Compassion) After reading this quote, would you agree or disagree?
- How could you live into your displacement in this way described by Nouwen?
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Note: The phraseology of “voluntary displacement” comes from the book, Compassion: Reflection on the Christian Life in the chapter titled, Displacement. To learn more, I encourage you to give this book a read.
