11-23-16
With the holidays approaching, it’s the time of year people really talk about what they’re thankful for. This year, one of the things I’m thankful for is my citizenship, both of our country and of Heaven.
It’s been an especially difficult few months in our country. In spite of all that, I’m grateful that I can call the United States my home. Christians here face many challenges, but we are so blessed, especially compared to places where it is a crime to even teach about Jesus.
Part of being thankful for our country is praying for it. Paul writes, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (I Timothy 2:1-2) Whether or not I agree with the decisions our leaders make, I can pray for them and for us to be able to freely live as Christians.
As thankful as I am to live in the USA, I am even more thankful that I am a citizen of another country. Philippians 3:20 says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” When there is turmoil in daily life, it is such a blessing to be able to get excited about living in Heaven.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. – Hebrews 11:13-14
God’s people in the Bible realized that their true home wasn’t this world. We are on a journey to get to our permanent home. This holiday season, let’s spend time thinking about the many gifts God has given us. One of the greatest of which is a permanent place to live in peace and joy.
May the Lord bless and keep you,
Heather
Heather Tabata 