Written by Camille Fairbanks. Artwork by Camille Fairbanks.
Philippians 3:19-21
Imagine yourself in a foreign country for a business trip. You have all the materials needed to accomplish your assignment. You have a suitcase with enough clothes for a week. You have a passport emblazoned with your home country’s seal. While on the trip you get to experience new things: food, sights, and activities. Everything’s exciting because it’s new.
But after a few days you start to miss home. You enjoyed tasting a new dish from a street vendor but you can’t wait to eat something with ingredients you’re more familiar with. Your company booked a hotel for you with nice amenities, but you’re looking forward to sleeping in the comfort of your own bed.
So maybe you haven’t traveled out of country for business, but if you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior, then you might have experienced something similar. Jesus gave you an assignment before He left this earth: to make disciples of every nation. God provides you with more than enough clothes for this lifetime. God seals you with the Holy Spirit, confirming your citizenship in heaven. While on this earth, God blesses us with family and friends, food, chances to travel, and countless fun activities. He blesses us so much, sometimes we forget where we’re from. It’s so easy to get caught up in the things of this world, but maybe after a while, you’ll remember that this world is temporary.
Yes, we should be thankful for tastebuds, vacations, and technology, but all these things should not be the focus of our lives, just like exotic food and sights are not the focus of the business trip. If you call yourself a follower of Jesus Christ, remember that you are called to do a good work for God. Remember that you are to love God and love His people. Remember that things on this earth will eventually pass away, but God’s words will never pass. Remember that you are a citizen of heaven.
Reflection Questions
1. What are some things of this world that are distracting you from Jesus’ assignment given to you right now?
2. Sometimes people away on trips keep pictures of their loved ones to remind them of home. What are some ways you can remind yourself of your heavenly home?