Citizens and pilgrims

There is a story about an American tourist’s visit to the home of a 19th-century Polish rabbi. The tourist was surprised to find it so sparsely and inexpensively furnished. The living area, a simple room lined with books, contained a table and a bench. When the tourist asked the rabbi, “Where’s all your furniture?” he replied, “Where’s yours?” The man asked, “What do you mean? I’m a visitor. I’m just passing through.” “Me too!” replied the rabbi. Passing through aptly applies to each of us; we’re creatures of time and children of eternity. In reality, Christians are citizens of heaven heading home via earth. “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 NIV). Heaven is more than a destination or a doctrine. For the redeemed child of God, it should be a mindset; a way of thinking and living. Paul wrote, “Since…you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For…your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3 NIV). Heaven is our north star. Let its beauty capture your imagination, its values determine your behaviour, its endlessness redeem your brief life span, its joys alleviate your sorrows, and its almighty King own your lifelong worship! To those of us who live briefly on earth, heaven should be a life-transforming truth. We’re not here to stay. We’re pilgrims on a journey, with a glorious destiny to spend eternity in our Father’s house (see John 14:2). We’re heading to our forever home!