For those of you living in Canada, happy Canada Day! And for those of you in America, please accept my best wishes for a happy Independence Day on July 4th!

Did you know that followers of Jesus are actually citizens of two different places at the same time?

Here’s what I mean. I’m a citizen of Canada, but I’m also a citizen of heaven. In Philippians 3:20, Paul says that “our citizenship is in heaven…” I also recall Jesus’ words before Pontius Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).

Because of this, I think we should flavour our temporary homeland (Canada) with the taste of our eternal homeland (heaven).

One of the ways we can do this is by embodying love, faithfulness, righteousness and peace.

Those aren’t arbitrary qualities. In Psalm 85, God’s people are praying for renewal and restoration. They cry out to God “that his glory may dwell in our land” (verse 9). Then the Psalm describes how that might look:

“Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven” (verses 10-11).

Wouldn’t it be incredible if God’s glory dwelt in our land like that?

Love. Faithfulness. Righteousness. Peace.

Flavour your temporary homeland with the taste of your eternal homeland.

By Matthew Ruttan

—My new book is out now! It’s called “Turbulence: Devotionals To Steady You Through The Storms of Life.” Assembled in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic, it includes 150 devotionals to give you help and hope for bumpy times. Click here to learn more, link to the full Forward, and for purchase information.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.