My Real Home

September 20, 2023

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. Philippians 3:20-21 NLT

I’ve had the privilege of traveling to many countries in the world and coming home again. Every country I have visited has great beauty and wonderful people, but nothing compares to America. Each time I meet the fascinating people in a new place, it doesn’t take long for the conversation to turn to the United States, the many things they have heard and seen about life here. Many times the person will ask me how to get to visit, and if there’s any way I could help them in that process. Frequently people make tremendous sacrifices to get here and encounter significant difficulties finding a way. A young Vietnamese friend has told me of all she did to get here, and how she is attempting to get her sister processed and permitted to come as well “so she can have a future.”

Each time I return from an overseas trip, the same scene re-enacts. We disembark from the plane and in varying degrees of excitement, relief, and joy we hurry to the arrival gates. There are no automatic entrances in the terminal. Passengers all follow the directions to the appropriate lines. Those of us who are Americans enter the fastest moving lines. They are marked for American citizens. We get in line and are processed quickly with no anxiety. We present our passport, and generally the agent serving us says a cheery, “Welcome home!”

The other line often has much more anxiety. The travelers there are citizens of other countries. They have worked hard and jumped through many hoops, meeting all the requirements to leave their place of residence and travel to America. Now they are here, and they are hoping with their whole hearts that everything will go smoothly. Many of them don’t speak or read English, and they don’t know who will help them if they have an issue. Many times I have prayed for the comfort and help of individuals or entire families who have been pulled out of line because some of their papers weren’t quite in order. There’s a big difference at the gate for those who are citizens.

For us, when we are forgiven people, we instantly become citizens of heaven, where our Lord Jesus lives! The forgiveness of our sins has given us a great life while we are traveling through this world as temporary residents, headed for our true home where we are already citizens (1 Peter 2:11). We need to have no fear when we arrive at the gate. Our passport is in order, and we will be welcomed home, the place we belong.

• Jesus, help me live and love like a citizen of heaven today. I want to enjoy my life today and love as You love others. May I remember that I am on my way home where I truly belong and look forward to with peace and joy.