We just don’t immediately realize that we are pilgrims; when a child is born into this world it is welcomed and for a time it feels perfectly happy and at home. It is the same thing when we are born again. We don’t at once realize that we are pilgrims; rather, we feel more at home on the earth than ever. It’s true, our senses are heightened because we have come into contact with the Creator of it all, and the Heaven above is a brighter blue, and the Earth around is a sweeter green.

But as we continue on our journey, this sense of feeling “at home” soon disappears and ultimately we realize in a very deep sense that we are truly aliens to all that the world represents, and we recognize that we are “wanderers and pilgrims on the earth,” that “here we have no continuing city.” (See Hebrews 13:14).

By the way, let me reiterate; we ARE pilgrims. We’re not vagabonds; we’re not strangers. A vagabond has no home. A stranger is away from home, much like many expats, except for one major exception; where you’re from is NOT truly your home if you belong to the Lord. A pilgrim on the other hand is headed to their true home! There may be detours on the way, but that is life. Life is full of twists and turns. That doesn’t make your journey towards your true home any less true. Our journey is not counted in miles like those who belong to the world. Our journey home is counted in days, weeks, years, all dependent upon the Father’s timeline when at last He will tell us our job, is finished. We ARE pilgrims!

So, what does this old American have in common with all of you? We’re all on a journey to our true home, a home that right now is being prepared for each of us and it doesn’t matter what part of the world the Lord in His perfect wisdom has decided to place us, our ultimate destination is to be what and where we are supposed to be; brothers and sisters reunited in our Father’s house in that Eternal Home and Kingdom prepared for those He loves.

The Psalmist David stated it best; he was in the “house of his pilgrimage.” So are we. While we are on our journey, laid out before us by the perfect will of our Heavenly Father (Psalm 37:23), we are living in temporary shelter. This body is only our tent. We carry it with us wherever we go and one day, we will arrive at our true and eternal destination.

So I tell you this, those of you who are far from your earthly homes, be encouraged, be strengthened. Keep your hearts and mind focused on what is lasting and eternal for the temporary WILL go by the wayside! One day, and it may be sooner than many of us realize, we will be closer to our true destination!

My prayer, my desire is that all those who belong to the Lord be encouraged. Be inspired, and while you accept the Lord’s blessings, don’t forget to share them with your other brothers and sisters who may be away from their earthly homes. Remind them of the Lord’s precious promises and receive joy in those promises.

Everyone of us, need a word of comfort as we face the trials and obstacles that this world lays out for God’s children to stumble over. Encourage one another with the truth that our real citizenship is in Heaven. Do not dismay that you may be foreigners in the worldly sense for we are ALL spiritual foreigners if we belong to the One true God!

Until next time. Keep one another in prayer. You have my sincere and heartfelt prayers. And as the apostles liked to state, may the grace and mercy of God be yours in abundance through the blessings of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

*Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.