Embracing Our Heavenly Citizenship

Where do you live? A simple question that we’ve all been asked from time to time.

It can be an easy ice-breaker as we get to know one another. There can also be a high level of pride associated with that answer. Growing up in the southeast United States it is common to hear others say they were born and raised in certain areas. They speak of their long-lost relatives that settled and you can feel the emotion regarding the family ties to the land.

An ambassador, however, recognizes that they are on a specific mission and during that time they are not home. For diplomatic ambassadors, this means that while they are in other countries they are visitors, not residents and thus they must remain focused on the purpose of their presence. In that context, it is often political and they maintain diplomatic relationships, protect their country's interests abroad, and promote peace, cooperation, and mutual understanding between nations.

The environment they find themselves in does not change who they are representing. For believers, a fundamental Truth that must be embraced is the heavenly citizenship that awaits those who put their faith in Jesus as their Savior. The Apostle Paul makes it abundantly clear that our citizenship is not of this world. We have the hope of something so much greater.

It is easy to tie our emotions to our current surroundings. Reflecting upon the different places I have called home in my life they all had certain aspects that I remember fondly. I think about the security my childhood home brought, the freedom of my apartment in college, the seclusion of the first piece of land I purchased, all the way to the first time I was in awe of the farm we now call home. While all of those places do have significant meaning to me, as I’m sure you have memories flooding in as well, each of those was a temporary holding area on the journey to my eternal home in Heaven.

The temporary mindset is crucial for effective success as an ambassador. It is this mindset that sets you free from the traps of the world and keeps alignment on the eternal Kingdom that you will someday call home. Oh, what a glorious day that will be, and in the meantime, maintain the Heavenly citizenship mindset as you take steps of obedience in sharing the Good News with others here on earth.

Questions to Consider

1. Are there areas where worldly concerns have taken precedence over your Kingdom calling?
2. In what ways can maintaining a "temporary mindset" as an ambassador help us stay focused on our mission and avoid the traps of worldly attachments?