Live As A Citizen Of Heaven - In the Morning When I Rise

Lord, why is it that following you sometimes makes me feel as if I don’t connect with my culture?

You are only a foreigner in the land. You must live as a citizen of heaven, conducting yourself in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Even when Abraham reached the land I promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by me.

Psalm 119:19; Philippians 1:27; Hebrews 11:9-10

What does it mean to live as a citizen of heaven?

Once you had no identity as a people; now you are my people. I warn you as a “temporary resident and foreigner” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very soul. I have told you what is good, and this is what I require of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with me, your God. Set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at my right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in me.

1 Peter 2:10-11; Micah 6:8; Colossians 3:1-3

What can I pray when I feel like an outsider?

Help me to live in reverent fear of you, God, during my time here as a “temporary resident.” For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is your power at work, saving everyone who believes.

1 Peter 1:17; Romans 1:16

The times when you long to connect to this world are meant to point to your deeper longing to connect to your heavenly home, where every need will be met by Christ. Reflect on the past week. When did things feel most right with the world? Where did the sense of rightness come from? Scripture? Culture? Try to evaluate each decision you make today from the perspective of being a “temporary resident” of this world.