Citizenship

Daily Gratitude Year Six-Day 364:Today, I am grateful for citizenship.

In this country, we are proud of our citizenship and its benefits. We are a young country by the world's standards. We grew big and fast through hard work, determination, some ugly stuff we aren't proud of... and working together in community. We recognized God's protection as we wisely separated church and state... identifying God as our creator. There was no question of "Is there a God?".  As a new country, they had seen too many miracles to believe otherwise.  

As I watch the news... or listen to conversations, I fear we have lost our vision. It is not just the politics, but the politics inflame and enrage on both sides. Neither party is innocent. Money and power are the Baal of today. 

Today, I am grateful for the reminder that our citizenship is with Jesus. Through him, heaven in our home. God's light means there is no night. Jesus is our advocate before the Father, truly understanding our human weaknesses. His sacrifice paid the price. We can enter His gates with joy, thanksgiving, celebration and gladness. He still longs for us to be in relationship with him. He made the way. We need only choose.

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. -1 John 4:14-17 NLT

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

When you are a citizen... you live by the laws of the land and enjoy its benefits. I just read in a Jonathan Cahn devotional that the Greek word means something a little different than our basic understanding: The Greek word behind the word citizenship specifically referred to a colony of people living according to the laws of their native country outside their native country. -Jonathan Cahn

We are not yet "home", but we live as though we are, because we are citizens of heaven living abroad. The reunions will be so sweet when we make it home. 

Today, I am grateful for citizenship.