Strangers and Pilgrims

Traveling in a foreign country is an enlightening thing.  There is always a "culture shock" associated with the experience.  Things we consider normal are regarded as very odd there, and vice versa.  Traditions, customs, life styles, clothes, etc., are often very different.  Language barriers are always a big problem.  And the food -- WOW!!!  Things that we would regard as inedible and disgusting are sometimes viewed as fine delicacies in those places.  (On one trip abroad we were treated to horsemeat, goat and raw fish!)

We make this point simply to emphasize the obvious.  When you are a stranger in a foreign land the things there seem odd to you -- and you appear odd to the native people.  For this reason we often say, "There’s no place like home."

There is a spiritual application to these observations.  As the people of God we are described as "strangers and pilgrims" here in this world (1 Peter 2:11).  As such, we must realize that we operate on a much different set of ‘norms.’  People of the world will often dress, talk, and act in ways that are -- or should be -- odd to us.  On the other hand, worldly people will see us as being very peculiar – or, at least they should.  We're different.  We don't do things the same way they do.  We don't think and act as they do. 

If we begin to feel too comfortable with the ways of the world -- if we begin to adopt the norms of those around us -- then we have lost the unique identity that the Lord wants us to possess.  He warns us: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world" (1 John 2:15).   We need to be like the great heroes of faith who "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth," and, like them, we should constantly "desire a better country, that is, an heavenly" (Hebrews 11:13,16).

Christian, where is your country?  Where is your ‘home?’  Think!

- by Greg Gwin