To have citizenship somewhere means that you are a part of something bigger than yourself. As a citizen you have certain rights and privileges that non-citizens do not have. From an earthly perspective Christians are citizens of the country they live in but from a spiritual perspective Christians are also citizens of heaven. As citizens of heaven you need to focus not on what is seen but what is unseen. For what is seen is passing away but what is unseen is eternal. In other words, as you serve the Lord on earth, you need to understand that what He has given you here and now is to be used to build and establish His kingdom.
In heaven you have a King who has created all things for Himself and rules over His creation. Your King has sent you on a mission to tell others about Him and His kingdom. According to His providence He has placed you where you are and given you the conviction to do what you do for Him. He gives you what you need for your mission so that you can bring Him glory in your spiritual work. He guides you by His Spirit and fills you with the hope that one day you will be home with Him and with others who love Him.
My dear friend in the Lord, do not lose focus of the calling you have from your King and do not lose hope! The Lord Jesus will complete the work He began in you and rest assure that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. You will be home soon and the trials you face today pale in comparison to the blessings you have in the kingdom of the Lord, which is the place of your real and eternal citizenship.
RICKY GARCIA
Ricky is a Pastor of Community Baptist Church in Victoria, Tx. He and his wife have been married for twenty-one years and have four children.