“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on Earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16).

Where are you from? This is a question asked often and most frequently answered with the name of a town or country. However, for the children of God, those whose Father is the Almighty God in Heaven, we are foreigners here on Earth. This place is temporary and we are only to be passing through. 

“All of the burden, all of the weight is taken away for those who put their trust in God.”

If in our hearts and minds we call this place, Earth, our home, we more than likely conform to the behavior and patterns of this dark world in order to succeed according to the world’s standards. We are then daily trying to make sure we secure for ourselves and our families a future by way of possessions, finances, social standing, and everything else we find important. We may be burdened with worry or tired from trying to ‘make it’ according to the basic principles of this world. We must understand that all things the world holds dear are elementary and fleeting in comparison to the everlasting dominion of Jesus Christ. Those who belong to Him do not have to live in such a way, but can walk daily with confidence that their home is above. Thanks be to God that we can walk in peace knowing that if we seek Him and live our lives to honor Him, He will take care of our future and our future generations. All of the burden, all of the weight, is taken away for those who put their trust in God. 

“What freedom for those who are seeking after the better destination…”

If this place is only temporary, then we do not live in such a way that we are trying to secure anything here, and our investment is then in our final destination—our heavenly dwelling. The pressure of how much money we have or what it will leave behind, the concern of whether we are popular or famous, and the constant striving for our ‘best life now’ is erased. Our investment is in His Kingdom and we know and are confident in the fact that He is preparing a place for us. A better place. An everlasting place with Him. We live in that expectation, not of what will take place here on Earth, but like our ancestors, with the longing and expectation for what is to come. We live investing in God’s Kingdom and setting up our families and others to follow us to that final destination.

“We are meant to keep our eyes on the heavenly dwelling—our hearts to be set in Heaven.”

In the book of Hebrews, we see the word of God speak about our ancestors in this way. They had nothing stored up, no worry of possessions or status here on Earth. They accepted that they were foreigners and they looked above seeking that heavenly destination. Their treasure was in Heaven. When we read this passage, we can get a sense of the confidence and the peace they lived in knowing that they were seeking a heavenly home. Their eyes, hearts, and minds were fixed on this heavenly home. They, themselves, would not be the ones to attain what was promised here on Earth, but they never wavered in their faith since “...they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16). When they went to Heaven, they found their desired destination! Praise God! And the amazing thing, the miracle of it all is that this is meant for each one of God’s children, all who are His!

What freedom for those who are seeking after the better destination—for those who choose to live as foreigners here on Earth. So again, the question is: Where are you from? The prayer is that today those who belong to God would awaken to the truth that this is not our home. The Church is not meant to take up dwelling here and exhaust all our time, energy, and effort building security and riches here on Earth, but is meant to live in the knowledge that our destination is in Heaven where our King dwells. Therefore, we are meant to invest in His Kingdom. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). We are meant to keep our eyes on the heavenly dwelling—our hearts to be set in Heaven. There lies our true citizenship.