The Joy Of Citizenship

What is the place you call home? I find that, even when we are away on a wonderful vacation, it’s always good to get back home again. You are able to unwind and settle back into everyday routines with the things that are familiar: sights, sounds, and smells; neighbors, family, community; work, shopping, banking…Even bills and laundry.

C.S. Lewis observed in Mere Christianity that, “If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next…It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven, and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth, and you will get neither.”

I sense that this is also Paul’s point as he rounds out Philippians 3. We all are citizens of one country or another here on earth. But believers in Christ have a far more important status as citizens of heaven. All of our other identities fall in line under our heavenly citizenship.

And Paul’s reminder is just as relevant now as it was then - all kinds of ­influences distract us from giving God’s kingdom first place in our lives. He warns us not to put our minds “on earthly things.” God does not want us to feel “at home” where self-centered appetites and pleasures come first. Rather, we are called to live as people who pass along the love, forgiveness, compassion, and obedience received through Christ’s sacrifice. And one day, we will be transformed to have bodies that will be like Christ’s. We’ll truly be home!