Unrestrained

The nomadic lifestyle is tragically misunderstood by governments all over the world. Because it is seen as primiative and inferior to the settled “civilised” life the nomadic lifestyle is under near-constant pressure to conform. Nomads are compelled to find a fixed address and put their children in school. But the heart of a nomad cannot be contained and his movements cannot be restrained without causing damage to his livelihood and identity. Many attempts have been made by well-meaning organisations to better the lives of nomads by building them houses or digging more wells. But, without a proper understanding of the nature of the nomadic life these projects can cause more harm than good. Settling a nomadic tribe will almost without exception lead to depression and social problems. And through overcrowding it also leads to disease for animals and people alike, diseases that thrive in urban settings but are avoided by the nomadic life.

The nomads know through centuries of tradition that staying too long in one place is harmful. National politics, war and conflict can put borders up that prevent the free movement of nomads and these can cause significant problems. Life and movement must be unrestrained to flourish.

The God of creation is also unrestrained by geography. He is entirely self-sufficient, dependant on no one but himself. He doesn’t exist in only one place, he isn’t limited by its boundaries. He has no one location that he calls home, he doesn’t need one or desire one. Who are we to think we could fix that for him?

Isaiah 66:1

This is what the Lord 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?

Too often we think of meeting God in a certain place. God does relate to us in a very personal way, but he is in no way contained within the walls of our churches or the borders of our countries.

In the context when Isaiah was writing, and in many pagan cultures today, the gods are known by their geography; the god of this forest, that mountain or the river. Our God in contrast is known by his people “the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob” and his presence travels with his people. No object or building on earth, or in fact the earth itself could ever contain him.