Feeling at Home?
by Malcolm Wood
While listening to some old recordings I came across a song in which the following line was repeated at the end of each verse: ‘And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore’. This reminded me of the impact Colossians 3:3 had on me when I first came across it in one of the earlier versions of the Living Bible- ‘You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God.’
Peter tells us that we are ‘foreigners and aliens here’ (1 Peter 2:11) and as such to keep away from evil desires. There are also other scriptures which remind us of our true citizenship and that we have no continuing (lasting) city here on earth.
While at this time the majority of the citizens of the UK are caught up in ‘election fever’ as the general election approaches, we as ambassadors for the Kingdom of God have been chosen to be salt and light, and therefore need to bring what influence we can, where and when we can.
Our citizenship of Heaven has been assured through the cross of Jesus, our way of entry, our passport to eternal life. Our ‘work visa’, the Word of God, is our authority to work for the Kingdom of God, and tells us how to behave and how to ‘do the works of the Kingdom’ wherever we are.
As we do so, with all the current political, economical, geographical, and meteorological uncertainties let us not be wooed into accepting this world’s solutions for peace, comfort and security, but keep our eyes on Jesus, who will one day take us away from this transitory ‘home’ to a more permanent one.
This world is not my home; I’m just a passing through,
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore. Jim Reeves
Prayer: Dear Lord, as a citizen of Heaven living here on earth help me to do what I can to further the influence of your Kingdom until you call me home. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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