Hebrews 11
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.
When I thought about this concept, I felt that we've not taken this far enough as Christians in American society. When I hear the phrase, "in not of" the world, I have to start asking myself what that means.
I look at my life and I really feel like I have made my home here. I have a house, a routine, stuff, you name it. I have alot of things that really make me think my home is here. So what do I do with that?
I don't think I'm hopelessly lost at this point, but I really want to live as if my resources, time, talents and devotion belong to God. So what does it mean to be a "stranger on earth" as noted in Hebrews 11?
Have you ever gone on a trip overseas? Maybe you've taken a vacation to even a different state. When I was sent to Mexico to manage a network installation, I got my first feeling of what it was like to be a stranger on earth.
I was the only American I saw in this area. I did not speak the language and I did not look like the people there. I was one chocolate chip on a cookie if that paints a picture for you.
I was there for a two week job and I really did some things differently in my life away from home. Here are a few examples and how they translate for me today:
I only went where I was directed to or for basic necessities. I was not out exploring due to possible danger and even getting lost in an area I did not know (this was pre-GPS :) )
When we live our lives God focused, we are here to fulfill basic needs, but our paths and travel should be God directed, not our own choices. Living as strangers in a strange land requires us to ask God for direction, otherwise, we are lost in that land.
I contacted home regularly. Home really was my hope in that situation. I was not interested in being away any longer than I had to be. I was not hoping in my work project, but in the life I had at home.
If I make my hopes earth centered, then I'm really not hoping in God. I would be missing the point in being someone passing through. I believe sometimes, we have areas or periods of our lives where our hope shifts when it shouldn't. We must remain focused on our hope in Christ. To contact home, we need to pray.
My purpose there was for my employer. I was not there for myself. I wanted to be home with my family and friends.
We have to realize we have a purpose here, and it's not for us. It's understanding that God saved us and that we are here for His glory, not our own.
Most of all, I was never comfortable. I only unpacked what I needed and I only used what I had to. I was not staying.
In our country, it is easy to get comfortable, but we are not supposed to be. Our comforts are elsewhere, not here. God is our comfort and our peace, not our stuff or ourselves.
When I returned home, it was a joyful reunion. I saw my family and friends and they were happy to see me. It was then that I felt like I was myself with those I loved.
When we live as strangers here and our work is accomplished, God will call us home. Some people see death as an ending, but really, it is a journey home. According to the Bible, it's a quick journey. Blink an eye and you are there. We will rejoice with loved ones who have gone before us and we will all be with Jesus forever. Home is beautiful. It is our destination.
Have you heard the phrase, "You can't take it with you?" Mostly, that phrase is correct and we should live as if we can't. However, there is one thing you can take with you. People! God loves people. We should be about His business to show the love of God to everyone we can and fulfill His purposes in our lives. When the job is done, He will receive us and we will be home.
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