Our citizenship - 7 October 2008

My dear friends

Many of us are justifiably concerned about the recent dramatic political developments in South Africa. Fears that they could destabilise the country are not unfounded.

A few years ago I quoted my sons an expression which sums up the ugly reality of life in the political arena. "Dog eats dog in politics," I told them.

Let me make my stance clear on the issue of politics. I do believe that some people are called into politics. There are politicians for whom I have a lot of respect. However, I must admit that on the whole, I am ill at ease in a world where the rule of the game is to seek for opportunities to go for your opponent's jugular vein.

We would like to believe our leaders when they try to reassure us that there is no crisis in this country. Of course, there are other flashpoints in the world that would seem to have far more serious problems than South Africa's.

As I communicate with people it strikes me that many sense that we live in perilous times. The economic woes that were sparked off by the credit crunch in the USA's sub-prime housing market are shaking the foundations of nations  and robbing them of their sense of security.

Surely, if it depended on us we would keep all calamities from our world but more often than not difficult times are a blessing in disguise. Once again, more people who are at their wit's end are forced to ask themselves questions that go beyond the here and now.

Christians will testify of the constant competition between the demands of our earthly lives and those of heaven. We need much grace to get the correct balance on a daily basis, I believe that God sometimes allows some crises to come our way in order to re-sharpen our focus so that we get our bearings right.

Homesickness for heaven is a very healthy sickness for a child of God, One of the crucial keys that lead to victory for the heroes of our precious faith was the realisation and confession that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth. They were looking for their true country and for "the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Hence the Negro spiritual "I am seeking for a city.")

Whilst pondering these things I was reminded of a key verse for the late Dr Kurt Koch's ministry,

"But our citizenship is in heaven." (Philippians 3:20)

Precious. Profound.

Granted, when we talk about these things some will accuse us of escapism. By God's grace, I do not want to be an escapist. I would like to keep my ground for as long as the Lord wants me on this globe. My departure should be at God's appointed time; not a day earlier, and not a day later.

So, here we stand, our feet firmly on this earth, to do whatever business the Master has for us, but our hearts are being drawn heavenward and our gaze is towards the Celestial City.

Have a blessed week.
 
Pressing on!
 
In His love
 
Fano Sibisi