Have you ever been a foreigner? My great-grandparents were immigrants who came through Ellis Island at the
end of the 19th century. I got to go to Ellis Island, in New York, and I thought about them standing where I was
and what it must have been like for them to be standing at the entrance of this new land, ready to learn a new
language, new history and new culture. And that they would be citizens of the United States of America. Fifty
years ago I had a chance to go Europe (can it really be 50 years ago?) and four of us guys traveled through
seven different countries and at every border we had to show our passports that told them we were not a part of
their country, that we were only passing through…just visiting. As I remembered our adventure, I thought
about how that’s what it is like for a follower of Jesus. We are here in the world…but our life, hope and
destination are different now. When you are born again, you are not like the rest of the world. No…you are not
better, you are saved by the grace that God freely gives anyone who wants it. When the Apostle Peter wrote his
first letter to a number of churches, he told them that they are God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners
here on earth. We have a new home…that we have not even seen yet. But we look forward to it because we
believe the God who has promised it to us. And so for now, we will live as good citizens of our respective
countries…and hopefully will be the best of all citizens. But this will not be our home for all time. One day,
we will stand like my great grandparents and look into heaven itself…and we who are not from heaven…will
come into heaven as honored and welcomed citizens because of what Jesus has done on the cross. So when life
seems tough or you seem out of touch with the rest of the crowd out there, don’t feel bad. You are just realizing
that you are a foreigner here on this earth now. Home is out there…being prepared and waiting for your joyous
arrival!
Here’s our Bible verse for today…
(1 Peter 1:1-2) This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. (2) God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.
Remember I’m praying for you,
PJ
Here’s our Bible verse for today…
(1 Peter 1:1-2) This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. (2) God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.
Remember I’m praying for you,
PJ