Let’s begin with two ideas. I’ll explain them and then bring it all together at the end.

First, speaking to fellow Christians, Paul explains that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). We may be from Canada, Cambodia or Cameroon, but if we follow Christ, our true citizenship is in heaven.

Second, Eugene Peterson explains a part of what the Holy Spirit does. He “forms church to be a colony of heaven in the country of death.”*

The idea is this. Heaven isn’t just something to wait for; we should endeavour to bring something of our true homeland to our current surroundings.

An analogy might help. Churches that have their heritage in Scotland are sometimes known to hold Robbie Burns dinners. Burns was a young poet. At these events people put up Scottish flags, read some of his poetry, and eat haggis. 

A few years back I was speaking with someone who recently lived in Scotland. I was surprised to learn that they don’t do that sort of thing over there. So, why did these dinners begin? As far as I could tell, immigrants began these events in their new surroundings specifically to honour their homeland. It kept their homeland alive; it made their homeland feel closer; it brought a little bit of Scotland to Canada. 

It’s a partial analogy, of course, and you can’t press it too far. But the main idea is there: heaven’s citizens do certain things in their new surroundings (earth) to honour their homeland, to make it feel closer, and to bring a little bit of heaven to earth. In the words of Jesus’ own prayer, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

When all you see are problems or pain, remember your passport. Not only does this give you hope, but it motivates you to bless others with something good from your homeland.

The Holy Spirit forms church to be a colony of heaven in the country of death.

---

Notes:

–“There is Ugliness (a prayer).” Click here or listen on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ or wherever you subscribe (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.)

–*Eugene Peterson, The Pastor: A Memoir (HarperOne, 2012), 110.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.