So some time after I migrated to the USA I was chatting with a friend, another migrant, and she was preparing for her citizenship exams. She had to know set information as well as what I consider random facts. For, during the exam she needed to be very conversant with the history, the laws, and the historical dates of presidents since independence. That was a lot of studying! As a resident, that was NOT required of me.
Having said that, I’ve since relocated for work, and here they are soooo not native English speakers. Thus, even as a work permit holder, language studies has become a priority. For friends and colleagues seeking residency status, there are hoops to jump through; and I’ve been reliably informed that citizenship is a long process. It not only involves language competence, but also has an interview-examination component that could have a grown person shudder.
Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to reflect again about our status – have a read.
“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” Philippians 3:20 NLT
I would be one of the first to assert that salvation in Jesus Christ is free (for us), once we make the confession of faith. But I also recognize that our citizenship has longer term /time-invested dimensions. To some degree, our Heavenly citizenship calls for us learning a new language, facing tests/trials and is having an appreciation for the laws, historical events and leadership surrounding the still-reigning Sovereigns of Heaven.
The thing is, and it’s a great thing, our citizenship is not dependent upon us mastering any of the aforementioned subjects. Rather, upon confessing or pledging our allegiance to Jesus Christ our Sovereign, our citizenship is confirmed. The act of baptism (as an older child or an adult) or confirmation is about declaring ourselves to be Heavenly citizens. Likewise, the candidates or confirmation classes we attend are more of language immersion or a historical intensive. And, those lessons continue right until we breathe our last.
So here’s the question for each of us – how well have we integrated into the ways of our new homeland? Have we been learning the language (love, the sacrificial kind), the laws and the leadership facts of the land? Or are we sidetracked by our earthly residences and restrictions?
Getting our status as citizens of Heaven is simple. Let’s continue to live as citizens while we’re able.
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
