Friday, November 21, 2008
Hebrews 11:13 . . . confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
YOUR NATIVE LAND IS . . .
At the same time that I was preparing to leave the United States for Africa and India, my sister was preparing to leave for Germany. One thing she made sure of was that her tennis shoes were not white. Apparently white tennis shoes are a dead giveaway that you are an American. She wanted to try to blend in as much as possible. But even if she fooled them with her appearance, as soon as she opened her mouth she confessed with her language and her accent that she was not a native of that land.
If we are not citizens of this earth, it is going to show in our language and in our actions. Even if I looked and talked like an Indian there are numerous factors that would give me away. For example, the fact that although I have learned some things about Indian politics, I could not tell you the name of a single current Indian politician. On the other hand, I would be hard pressed to find an Indian who did not know the name Obama and most know McCain as well. Why? Because their walk is America-ward. Some of them may even hate America for various reasons, but they still want to have what we have. America dominates their goals and hopes and thus the things of America do as well.
If our walk is truly heaven-ward, if our native land is that which is to come, if our citizenship is in heaven, it is going to show -- our clothes being heavenly minded, our talk betraying a heavenly accent. Even our education is going to be first and foremost heavenly minded. Why is it that we so often consider it important that children learn the name and deeds of Abraham Lincoln but never think twice if they don't know the name and deeds of C.F.W. Walther? Why is it important that they memorize their multiplication tables but learning well their passages for the Christmas story is asking just a little too much?
We have been born again of God. Should we be ashamed of our roots? Heaven is our hope. Shall we not seek that which we hope for?
