Eternal Aliens

I have a favorite praying place. While there, I often pray with my eyes open scanning the trees visible through the window. I treasure looking to the Lord to display His different attributes just from that limited view through those panes.

While pondering the eternal and the fact that as believers we are aliens (1 Peter 1 -2 ESV) this week I was struck by the woods in our lives….the busyness and details that allow us to function in this world and yet can consume our time and attention. Negotiating the trunks, roots and stumps my gaze can remain downward. I often  stumble or even fall.

Thomas à Kempis said, 

“Let temporal things be in the use, eternal things in the desire.”

Those trees, roots and stumps do serve our use – they allow us to see our frail humanity and they give opportunity for us to walk beside others while we love and model Christ. We just need to remember not to lose sight of the eternal as the object of our desire. We need to look ahead to eternity.

Back in my praying place….looking through the trees, barely glimpsed in the distance is a streak of color. Zeroing in on that strip of brightness I realize there is a flag, a symbol of freedom and hope standing tall. I find that so refreshing a reminder.  This is not my home. One day in the future I will know true freedom. I will see my Hope! And I will experience true hospitality….

”Welcome home!” Jesus will say!

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:1-2 ESV)