Contributor:
Chad Roberts
I’ve spent quite a bit of time in the Egyptian culture now and I always notice how much I stand out. People look at me like I’m a foreigner…because I am! People are polite, but it’s obvious I don’t belong to this culture. It may be the Boston Red Sox hat I wear occasionally, even no matter what I wear, I stand out. Again, reminding me that I’m not home in Tennessee.
On this trip, I realized that I never take my keys with me. I always leave them in the States. What good does a ring full of keys do me when I don’t own anything? I know I won’t be here very long. There is no sense in trying to keep up keys when I have no need for them, namely because I’m just passing through here. Again, reminding me that I’m not home in Tennessee.
Just as my passport states that I am a citizen of the United States (whether I’m physically in the United States or not), I am still a citizen with all the rights and privileges (and responsibilities) that come with holding a US passport. In a similar way, the Bible teaches that I am a citizen of Heaven, whether I am there physically or here on this side of eternity. What matters, is that I have all the rights and all the privileges (and responsibilities) of being a citizen of Heaven.
You and I don’t belong to this culture. Some are polite. Many are hostile and have you noticed the way hostility is growing in America toward Christians? It will increase and as it does, you and I need to be reminded that this is not our true home. Jesus prayed for His followers in John 17 and teaches us, we are in the world, but we are not of the world (John 17:16).
On this trip, I’m reminded of a great story from a Henry Morrison and his wife, a missionary couple who faithfully served in Africa for 40 years of their lives. When it came time to retire, they decided to return to the States. They happened to be on the same ship carrying President Teddy Roosevelt. He had gone to Africa on a hunting expedition.
Feeling a bit slighted, the old missionary couldn’t help but notice people’s excitement about the President returning home from Africa. He couldn’t understand how a man goes on a hunting trip for 2 weeks and everyone notices, while he and his wife had served in Africa their entire lives, and yet no one seemed to care or notice.
When the ship docked in New York City, thousands turned out to see welcome the President home. The Mayor of New York and many other important people. They even had a band and confetti. However, no one was there to greet the faithful missionary couple.
They rented the cheapest apartment they could and began to settle in. But it kept gnawing at the old missionary’s heart. Why didn’t they receive a joyful welcome home? They had been so faithful. Discouraged, he told his wife how he was feeling. She told him to go the bedroom and tell it to the Lord!
While the faithful missionary was praying and pouring his heart out the Lord, he questioned why no one welcomed him home. Then the Lord told him, “Because you’re not home yet!” That changed his heart and attitude when realized, there is a welcome home celebration planned in heaven for his years of faithful service.
Likewise, you and I are not home yet. When I see the terrorist attacks on the news. When I hear that over 700 children were removed from their homes into foster care in my community alone last year…when I see the mess in Washington DC and the empty promises to fix our broken nation, I can’t help but remember, I’m not home yet…and neither are you!
Egypt is beautiful, but it’s just not home. Now I see even more clearly the beauty of Revelation 21:3-4, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’”
Cairo, Egypt
September 7, 2007
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