My passport says that I am a citizen of the United States. I am very thankful for that. I am even more thankful for my heavenly passport. And that is all because of Jesus. Here’s what Paul says in Philippians 3:20.

Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ….

Growing up, I would listen to a pastor named Bob Harrington, the self-proclaimed “Chaplain of Bourbon Street.” When anyone asked Harrington where he was headed, he’d say, “Heaven. Just passing through town on my way.” I always loved that line. It’s a great description of the truth in today’s passage.

The believer is a stranger and sojourner on this earth. God has made us for eternal things, not for the world’s things that start out shiny and then rust. The reason we can’t be satisfied with the stuff around us is because we were not made to be satisfied with the stuff around us. We long for things we can lose; we long for things that won’t last. Our passport says that we are citizens of heaven. We eagerly await the coming of the King of the eternal kingdom.

Certainly, our feet are planted on the earth…for now. There are bills to pay, families to provide for, relationships to enrich, and important day-to-day responsibilities. But let’s remind ourselves not to get too comfortable. Always keep your passport with you. Always keep your bags packed. This is a temporary layover. We’re just passing through the temporal on our way to the eternal.

Father, never let us get too comfortable in this land of sojourning. Remind us often of what are the eternal things and keep our hearts yearning for eternity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.