Choose Homelessness

When the God of Heaven Had No Place to Lay His Head

What Isaiah 66 and John 4 reveal about true worship, surrender, and the heart God favors

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I remember a well-meaning debate with my brother about whether Christians should be wealthy.

Like many others, I am surrounded by the tension people feel between faith and finances. In many ways, the Church hasn’t always represented Jesus well in this area. Some Christians act as if poverty is holiness, while others chase wealth like it’s the result of godliness because He is the God of abundance. Both, in a way, are true.

I reminded my brother of all the faithful, wealthy Christians I know. But then I said something deeper — something I believe is the real point when it comes to wealth:

Money isn’t the main issue — the posture of the heart is. Financial poverty can be holy if you have His abundant presence. And great wealth — which ultimately belongs to Him — isn’t wrong either, as long as it hasn’t replaced His presence in your life.

Here’s the question we all need to ask:

If there’s something in the world that would pull me away from God, wouldn’t a loving Father withhold it?

Or said another way:
If something in your life would replace God, wouldn’t a good Father prevent me from having it or even take it away — not to punish you, but to protect you?
Because in His presence is fullness of life.

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The Temple Isn’t the Point — The Presence Is

Isaiah 66:1–2 brings us back to this truth with force and clarity. God says:

“Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool.
Where is the house you will build for Me?
Where will My resting place be?”
— Isaiah 66:1

The original listeners of Isaiah’s prophecy would have felt deep conviction — but also hope.

They had begun to treat the temple as holy rather than the Presence of the Holy One. When they left the building, they left the relationship.

Rituals replaced connection.
Systems replaced surrender.
And their hearts grew proud.

But God interrupted all of that with a reminder:

“This is the one I look on with favor:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit,
and who trembles at My word.”
— Isaiah 66:2

That’s what moves God's heart—not your achievements, performance, or finances.
But your posture.

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Jesus Chose Homelessness

As I reflected on Isaiah 66, I was reminded of Jesus’ words in Luke 9:58:

“Foxes have dens, and birds have nests,
but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”
— Luke 9:58

This wasn’t just a logistical fact about Jesus’ travels. It was prophetic.

The God who said, “Heaven is My throne,” chose to walk the earth with no place to rest.

The One who built the universe with His own hands entered it — homeless.

He didn’t just speak the words of Isaiah 66 —
He lived them.
Humble. Contrite. Dependent.

He chose homelessness — not because He lacked power, but because He wanted nothing to stand between Him and us.

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The Never Finished Challenge: Choose Homelessness

Not literal homelessness — unless God calls you to that (And not to poke fun at the epidemic of our brothers and sisters experiencing life without a home. I worked and befriended many at my last church—talk about a challenging and identity-stripping life).

But a spiritual homelessness that refuses to let comfort, control, Sundays, or systems define your relationship with God.

Let go of the temples you’ve built.
Let go of the routines (especially showing up on Sunday only) you’ve mistaken for a relationship.
Let go of your need to box God in.

Worship in Spirit and Truth

Jesus says:

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
— John 4:24

This isn’t about singing louder or going to the right church.
It’s about worshiping from the deepest part of who you are — the soul-level, honest, longing place that God created to connect with Him.

• Spirit means your genuine, vulnerable self — not your performance.

• Truth means not what man says, but what God has spoken. Not what you’ve made up, but what He’s revealed.

Don’t think God would command you to worship in spirit and truth without also showing you how.
He’s a faithful Father.

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A Prayer

Father,
I am Your beloved child.
Help me to worship You in spirit and truth — with all that I am, and in alignment with what Your Word says.
Show me the path I should walk so You never become a system to me, or a routine I box You into.
You are the Creator of the universe — and with those same hands, You formed me.
I choose You.
I love You.
Amen.

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What Does Today Say About God?

Today I sat down excited to read His Word and write — Lord willing, summarizing thoughts He gave me. And I was reminded of something so simple and powerful:

I am capable of receiving thoughts from God.
He is capable of giving me insight, blessing me with fresh mercy, and creating in me a new heart each day.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.”
— Lamentations 3:22–23

And as I read Isaiah, I saw myself clearly:
I am Israel.
But God never stopped pursuing me.

What a Father.
What a Friend.
What a Creator.
What a God.
What a King.

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💭 Want to respond?

• Hit the ❤️ if this stirred something in you.

• Comment with your own reflection — what “temples” is God calling you to surrender?

• Share with a friend who needs to be reminded: God still speaks. He still pursues. He still calls.

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