All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13, NASB)
For several days in March, I was “back home” in a small town in Southern Illinois. It’s where I grew up, where I first picked up a golf club, where I first kissed a girl, and where I was baptized, ordained and married. I can still play the local nine-hole country club in my mind and I remember shots I hit there decades ago. My father was a charter member of the club, and he and his pals played every Sunday afternoon after they got out of their various churches. Later I worked at that course, played my high school matches on it, and on more than one occasion practiced putting on the second green well after dark, because it was close to the parking lot and my car lights could reach it.
Both in golf and in life, that is where I’m from. I enjoy going back because of the familiarity, because of the history, because of the family and friends.
For many there is a strong tug to return home, and it is not unusual for folks to go back to their roots, to move back home, later in life. If you have done that, or felt the desire to, you can relate to the Israelites who wanted to return to Egypt. There is great comfort in the known, even if it comes with a little slavery on the side.
But my hometown, with all its beauty and memories, is not where I belong. The land God has given me now is called Arizona, and I view it in part as Joshua must have viewed Canaan—a land to be enjoyed for its abundant blessings but also conquered for the glory of the Lord.
What land has God given you? Conquer it with courage for the Kingdom, whether it is as large as Texas or as small as the locker room of your golf club.
And regardless of the size of the territory that lies before you, know that it is temporary. All of us who follow Jesus are like the prophets of old—“strangers and exiles” on the earth. One day we will be in the land where we do belong, a place where there is no darkness, where there are no tears, where love resides. One day we will be finally and eternally home.
—
Lewis Greer
April 2, 2014
Copyright 2014 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.