Where's Home?

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. [Philippians 1.27a]

Here is where so many of us fall short in our daily walk. We have so many attachments to this world that we give very little thought to our citizenship in heaven - our familial role in the Kingdom of God.

Our journey on this earth should be our constant daily move toward the Kingdom of God. This takes dedication and commitment - it requires us to purposefully seek the Kingdom of God as our first priority.

Because what we see (the world) and what we believe (the Kingdom of God) more often than not do not agree, it requires constant effort on our part to pursue what is not seen in the midst of all that is seen. We need to see ourselves as strangers here on earth in order to focus on our "home land" heaven.

For me, as one who has traveled extensively, there is no place as comfortable as home. Whether my away-from-home accommodations are minimal or extravagant, I always prefer home. When I am away from home, I remain in a constant state of 'discomfort' because I am not home. It is this same mindset of being away from home that Paul is speaking of to the church at Philippi - he is reminding them that their citizenry is not in this world but in heaven, and therefore their lives on earth should reflect as much.

The analogies of being citizens of heaven are many. But suffice it here to say that only when we live as citizens of heaven do we really reflect the Gospel of Christ.

Father, help me to remember throughout this and every day following that I am not at home here on earth - my home is in heaven with You.