In A Strange Land

For the 4th of July my wife and I drove to the capital for an Independence Day festival. She wore a shirt with the American flag colorfully displayed. Though she is not an American citizen, she appreciates this country very much. During our short stay in the city, we heard the announcement of at least 5 individuals who recently became American citizens.

The announcer named the individual then said, "Formerly from the country of...". They were no longer citizens where they were born and raised. Something had changed in their former land that they could no longer stay. It could be war, lack of opportunity, instability with the government or any other number of things.

They became strangers in a strange land only to became its citizen.

Speaking of those who lived before Christ, Hebrews 11:13 says, "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, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth." (NIV). They understood this was not their permanent address as they look forward to a heavenly place. It is an eternal abode free from all corruption and sin.

Likewise, Peter warns about abstaining from lust that wage war against the soul understanding we are exiles and pilgrims in a strange land (I Peter 2:11).

We may hold citizenship to the country we were born or naturalized, but in God's kingdom, we are citizens of a different place. I believe there awaits another kind of Independence Day. The day the King of Kings returns and takes us home!