Nougat 16

So while I was praying this morning, the Lord laid Today’s Holy Nougat on my heart

What struck me firstly was the fact that if we are citizens of Heaven then all the trappings we hold so dearly on earth,are likely to be left behind on our transition to our True Home. The thought stayed with me and it registered that at best, we will transition only with whatever we’re currently in.“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord … we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:1a, 20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Somehow I made the mental leap to the images of refugees fleeing war-torn lands, of migrants being deported and of early depictions of workers trudging home in the first waves of C-19. That registered somewhat differently as I made the connection. I was struck by the recognition that if as believers, our citizenship is in Heaven; then we’re all refugees while on earth.

Having grasped that, I sensed the Lord pointing out two things

1. Most refugees only have the clothes on their backs and a few essential things
2. If we are all refugees, what justifies

A – the racist and xenophobic actions we often practice

B – our ignoring refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in need?

1. What is essential

If all the refugees left their homes with were the most important things; I was challenged to determine what is most important. In my earthly life; I traveled a lot. And one critical thing was my documents – passport, permit, health and bank cards etc – and it has its own value. But from a spiritual perspective; what value do any of those carry? Are they the most important things?

I hadn’t carried the thought as fully as I’ve just done before I tried to ease away by thinking that most refugees transition to ‘better lives’ albeit temporarily, and their material possessions often increase. I kid you not, God countered with the thought; but if you know you are going back and everything will be restored and more; would you still be frantically trying to accumulate lots and lots that has no real value in your Forever Home? The image of the refugees with naught but the essentials returned – what then; is truly important? And this fed the second question

2A – If as believers we are all citizens of Heaven, then regardless of local earthly nationality, or class, or race, we’re likely to be neighbors. And since there’s no room for war in Heaven (we’ll be too busy worshiping along with the angels and elders); why bother with discrimination on earth? Ouch. I didn’t tarry with that thought. For we are comfortable with our prejudices; we can justify them. We were hurt by someone, a group etc., or our family/friends were. As I ran for dear comfort from that question; I was convicted – it’s time to ensure that we’re occupying our lives with rejoicing and active anticipation. No room for prejudice to fester. Thus …

2B – We’re assured mansions in our Forever Home and our citizenship is secure; but we would deny others access to that which isn’t ours to permit or deny. Were we in their shoes; we’d have hoped for compassion.

There comes the day when we each will transition to our Forever Home. What would we like our welcome to be? Should we not do likewise now?

A Jamaican proverb challenges us a bit more; ‘today for you, tomorrow for me’. What if we become displaced on earth? Some of us have been. But more critically, what if our attitudes now were to permanently displace us from our Forever Home.

Thanks for journeying with me today. May God’s grace be yours.

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May all we seek be found in Christ