Abroad: In Hope for a Better Country

Is the road to a better country paved with dreams, or with the ashes of abandoned ones?
Numerous people are moving abroad, hoping to reach a better country in terms of wealth, security, job opportunities, and more. In a similar way, Jesus Christ, in one of His sermons, addressed this deep longing when He told His audience to seek first the Kingdom of God with the same tenacity they were seeking a better country(Matt 6:33). This was during a time when the Roman government had made life unbearable for the Israelites, who were under Roman rule.

To illustrate this with a story:
One evening, in a small village under the baobab tree, a young boy sat beside his father, chewing roasted corn. He spoke about their recent conversation with his uncle abroad, who had traveled for academic reasons to a better country. Then he asked his father, "Papa, how can I travel abroad like Uncle Jide?"

His father chuckled and said, "Timi, you want to fly like a bird in the sky, eh?"
The boy nodded eagerly. Then the father gave him a few outlines of what he would need:

1. You must get your wings, which is your passport.

2. You must have a reason, a specific purpose such as learning, tourism, or trading.

3. You must be ready to pay the cost, both financially and in obedience to the laws of the country you wish to enter.

Similarly, the Scriptures—serving as our microscope to help us see beyond the mere surface outlook of this world—depict the world as full of futility.
From the prominent nations to the underdeveloped ones, all are battling and struggling to eradicate the bewitchment of evil, which manifests as terrorism, nepotism, cultism, war, corruption, and more.
Alas, all human attempts fail (1 Thessalonians 5:2–3).

Owing to this, the Scriptures declare:

"The labor of fools wearies every one of them, because they do not know the way to the city", the city that gives eternal rest to the soul and breaks the power of sin that weakens nations (Ecclesiastes 10:15; Isaiah 14:12).

But what is impossible for man is possible with God!
The Scriptures proclaim that God has established a Kingdom (Daniel 2:44), and even while still here on earth, you can become a citizen of that Kingdom.
This Kingdom is called the Kingdom of Light or the Kingdom of God (Colossians 1:12–13), and it is void of sin and evil.

Moreover, God used the life of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pave the road that leads to His Kingdom, so that we would not perish with this world.

Preparing for the Journey to God's Kingdom: A Similitude to Traveling Abroad

1. Passport – Acknowledgement and Repentance of Your Sins
Just as a passport is essential for international travel, acknowledging and repenting of your sins is essential for entrance into God’s Kingdom.
References: Psalm 32:1–5; Isaiah 55:6; Acts 2:38.

2. Visa – Faith in Jesus Christ as the Only Way
A visa grants you the legal permission to enter a foreign country; likewise, believing in Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life grants you access to eternal life.
Reference: John 14:6.

3. Entry Clearance – Baptism by Immersion in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
Just as you must go through an entry clearance process to officially enter a country, baptism symbolizes your official entry into the covenant with God.
References: Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38.

4. Cultural Orientation – Submission to Be Taught the Word of God
Before settling in a new country, one must learn its laws, language, and culture. Similarly, the believer must humbly submit to be taught God’s Word and His ways.
References: Psalm 51:7; Psalm 25:9.

Consequently, people who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.
If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.
Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one—a city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:13–16, 10).

Who is ruling over your life?

Accept Jesus Christ today so that His Kingdom (His rulership) may come over your life. Then you will be fit for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Remain blessed!

Written by: Owojori Sunday John