Foreigners

How long has it been since you have felt like a foreigner? I had that thought cross my

mind today as our team attended a worship service with over 1,000 Haitians. Several of us on the team have been here many times, and although we never understand the

language we can usually identify the song because of the tune. Once we hear the

familiar tune of "Amazing Grace" or "Blessed Be Your Name" we have always been able to sing in English while standing side by side with our Haitian brothers and sisters

singing in Creole. But today was different. No familiar songs. No familiar preaching.

Everything was foreign.

It's an awkward feeling standing in a sea of people that are all doing something, but

you're left out. There was even a time I convinced myself I knew one of the songs and

began mouthing what I thought were the words only to realize it wasn't the song I

thought. So, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape the feeling or the fact that I

was a foreigner in this land.

It reminds me of the scripture in Hebrews 11:13-16 that says:

13 These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them

from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary

residents on the earth. 14 Now those who say such things make it clear that they are

seeking a homeland. 15 If they were thinking about where they came from, they would

have had an opportunity to return. 16 But they now desire a better place - a heavenly

one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city

for them.

This scripture is speaking of the great heroes of faith and their confession that this world was not their home. They felt like foreigners and temporary residents in this land

because they lived their lives differently than the world because of their faith.

This brings me back to my question...How long has it been since you felt like a

foreigner? Do you make decisions and live your life based on the conviction that you

desire a better place? Can the rest of the world see a difference in your life or are you

confused for just another "native"?

Look at verse 16 again..."they now desire a better place - a heavenly one. Therefore

God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

It tells us that "God is not ashamed to be called their God"