Coming home is a strange thing.
I’ve been back now for 11 days. Sometimes I feel right at home, almost like I never even left. While other times I feel like a foreigner in a strange land.
Its hard, but not in the ways I thought it would be.
It’s not hard because I’m stressed about finding work— I’m not.
It’s not hard because I feel guilty for living comfortably— I don’t.
It’s not hard because I miss traveling or because I miss my squad— though I do.
Honestly, it’s hard because I know the language.
When you know the language, you hear everything. Every flippant curse word. Every hateful remark. Every petty complaint. It’s sickening. To be amongst the poorest of the poor who are more than grateful for everything they’ve been given in this life, and to come back to our land flowing with milk and honey and hear the complaints that the milk is too abundant and the honey too sweet. What’s wrong with us?
Every time I visit a new place, I return with a greater appreciation for all that we have here in the States. But one thing is for certain: The spiritual poverty is much greater here than in any other country I’ve been. I dare say that I met more God-hungry Christians in 11 months overseas than in 26 years in America. Why is that?
I believe it’s because in this “nation under God” with a church on every corner, the devil is actually, dare I say, winning. Ironic, isn’t it?
-He has successfully fooled us into thinking that following Christ is a hand-raise, when actually, it’s a lifestyle.
-He’s trained us to believe that our faith is a private matter, when Biblically, it’s the most public thing we’ll ever do.
-He’s taught us that Christianity equals prosperity and “our best life now,” when realistically, it promises trials, persecution, and suffering, with the hope of that “best life” to come.
Every time a nonbeliever looks at our lives as Christians and sees nothing to set us apart from the rest of the world, the enemy celebrates. He’s fooled yet another victim into believing that conversion is a powerless, non transforming, cultural decision. And the most devastating thing about that is the aesthetically pleasing mask of false Christianity that now distracts the victim from knowing the real Truth.
Readers,
Do not be fooled. The Bible is very clear that when we are adopted as Sons and Daughters, we are a new creation (Galatians 6:15). As someone who mistakingly believed herself to be a Christian for 23 years, I know first-hand that this change Paul speaks of in Galatians is a real and beautiful thing. It cannot be missed. It cannot be overlooked. Like a caterpillar going to sleep in a chrysalis and waking up a butterfly, you know when you are made new.
Non-Christian,
Do not lose hope. The most beautiful truth at the core of The Gospel is that God loved you first. Just the way you are, in all your sin and pride and doubt. You need only believe in your heart the greatness of what He has done for you and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you will be saved. The cleanup comes later. Right now, He’s just interested in your homecoming.
Christian,
We have the most wonderful assignment in the world: To know Him and to make Him known. May we never underestimate the grandeur of that task. And heaven forbid we ever try to keep it private. He has invited us to be a part of His Story, not because He needs us, but because He loves us. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
Take Heart. He has overcome the world. The enemy is under His feet.
