For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Hebrews 13:14
“For Christians are not distinguished from the rest of mankind either in locality or in speech or in customs. For they dwell not somewhere in cities of their own, neither do they use some different language, nor practise an extraordinary kind of life. Nor again do they possess any invention discovered by any intelligence or study of ingenious men, nor are they masters of any human dogma as some are. But while they dwell in cities of Greeks and barbarians as the lot of each is cast, and follow the native customs in dress and food and the other arrangements of life, yet the constitution of their own citizenship, which they set forth, is marvellous, and confessedly contradicts expectation. They dwell in their own countries, but only as sojourners; they bear their share in all things as citizens, and they endure all hardships as strangers. Every foreign country is a fatherland to them, and every fatherland is foreign.”
The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus, 5.1-5 (c. 130). Mathetes, “a disciple of the Apostles,” was likely a student of Paul or one of the Apostle’s associates.
This text seemed fitting in the hard times in which we are living. With you, my heart aches for Ukraine. I spoke with my friend and Ukrainian brother, Dr. Michael Cherenkov, last night.
He urged me to pray for the soldiers who are in harms way as well as our many friends there. We reminisced our travels to Ukraine last September. He spoke of places we walked that are now war zones. So sad
And we think of those who have fled their homes. They are literally sojourners now. This got me thinking. We are all sojourners. That’s what Mathetes learned from the Apostles. And yet, someday we will all have a share as citizens of heaven. That’s our real home. Let’s live for that place.
For now, if you are looking for a place to give in light of the crisis, I offer two options: (1) Mission Eurasia. They have a great crisis program and the ability to get help where it is needed most to suffering people.
(2) GTP. Mission Eurasia has asked me to come to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to speak on 6-7 May 2022 to 500-600 workers from across Eurasia. Your support will help send me to inspire and serve them.
As three of my books were translated into Russian and distributed in Ukraine only days before the Russian occupation (see my Facebook), I will speak on topics related to the books.
But I also sense that God will be sending me to minister to weary war-torn sojourners. God help me. God help Ukraine. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.