All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16)
One of the difficult aspects of being a Christian in this world is the very real sense of not belonging, of being "other." Living a life different from those around us in our society, in our workplaces and even in our families. It is one of the deep longings of the human heart to have a sense of belonging—being home.
But as followers of Christ, we don't belong...not here. We belong to another Kingdom, we have a different Spirit, our desires, goals and deepest longings are different than everyone else. This is not because we are particularly good within ourselves, but because we have been born again, part of a new humanity, looking forward to the coming King and His Kingdom.
The temptation to try to fit in here, however, comes against us daily and subtly. This is why the writer of Hebrews wrote these words...the Hebrew believers were greatly tempted to want to fit in again—to avoid the suffering, to not stand out. To be different is to be a target, a threat to the status quo. And so we are told, by our Lord Jesus Himself, to expect suffering because we are not like the world:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me." (John 15:18-21)
And so our different lives become a constant source of trouble for us. Externally, we are under siege by the world who hates us because we are different, because of the name of Jesus which we bear on our lips and hearts. Internally we have trouble, because our flesh longs for comfort, for settling down, for belonging. But the Lord has given us comforting words to cling to in our troubles, saying:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Because we trust Him, we can hold firmly to His words, and live for that "heavenly country" that is to come. And as we choose to trust His Word, and not to make our "home" here on earth, in this age, our God "is not ashamed" to be called our God. He has prepared a place for us, an eternal place near Him in His eternal dwelling.
So when the temptations of sufferings of being a foreigner in this world come, when the internal pressures feel great, let us set our minds on the home which our God and Savior are preparing for us. Let us lift our eyes in trust to Him, and take strength from His great promises.
Amen.
Essene Press Team
