On a few occasions, I have been able to travel outside the US and off the beaten “tourist” paths. It is always fun. Even though I have been to some great places and sometimes hate to leave, I always look forward to getting back home.
I guess I just feel more comfortable at home. I feel better when the plane lands back in the US even if my flight continues on to another city.
When I am in another country I never feel totally comfortable. The language is often different and I have trouble communicating. Asking directions, ordering in a restaurant, finding the bathroom, whatever. Customs are different.
Most of us love traveling as a tourist. We travel to other places to learn about different cultures. To explore different lands. To experience something new and different. Just to have fun.
Most of the time we do not have serious problems. We do not put down deep roots. We keep a certain distance. We are not deeply involved in politics, businesses or other parts of society. We drop in with the knowledge that we will soon drop out and return to our own land. If things are not perfect we tend to overlook it. We will soon be home. If the culture is far different and we know we just don’t fit in, we overlook it. We will soon be home.
If it is difficult to understand the locals they don’t understand us, we struggle but know we will soon be home. They are as confounded by us as we are by them.
Many of you know exactly what I am talking about.
But when you get right down to it, sometimes I don’t feel real comfortable when I get back home. Things feel a little “off”. You realize it is not just the trip. You have always felt that way,
What is wrong?
As a Follower of Jesus, you should feel like that. Hebrews, in talking about people of Faith in the time before Jesus says, Hebrews 11:13 – 16 NLT All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. 14 Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. 15 If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. 16 But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
1Peter 1:17 So you must live in reverent fear of Him during your time as “foreigners in the land.”
Using that kind of language God is letting us know that this is not “home”. We should never feel totally comfortable. We may live here but we go by different standards. We are part of a different culture. The Sermon on the Mount reminds us that we, as Followers of Jesus, live in an upside-down culture. We are a part of The Kingdom of God. Romans 12:2 NLT Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (Don’t fit in too well or get too comfortable).
If a Follower of Jesus ever gets too comfortable or fits into their society too well—–something is wrong. We should always be a little out of step. Our standards should be different. Our values different. Our approach to life different. We are part of a different Kingdom. The Kingdom Jesus announced.