Passing Through

Several days ago, I came across a fascinating fact about the Arctic Tern—a bird that flies approximately 50,000 miles each year between the Arctic and Antarctic in search of constant sunlight and food. Over its average lifespan of thirty years, it covers an astonishing 1.8 million miles in total. Most of its life is spent in perpetual motion, never settling in one place for long but instead passing through various locations on its journey.

Now, before you assume this is just another dry, fact-heavy article about birds, I want us to consider how this concept of "just passing through" relates to us as Christians.

As followers of Jesus, our earthly duties are not meant to be our main focus or final destination. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that we are like pilgrims journeying through this life. In 1 Peter 2:11, we read:

"Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul."

Similarly, Philippians 3:20 states:

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ."

These verses emphasize the reality that true followers of Jesus should have their hearts and minds fixed on their ultimate destination—heaven—rather than being consumed by the temporary nature of this earthly life. Reflecting on this truth brings a level of conviction to my heart, as I realize how often I pursue the goals and pleasures of this world instead of longing for my eternal home.

Now, don't get me wrong—setting goals, investing wisely, and working diligently are not inherently sinful or indicative of misplaced priorities. In fact, God calls us to be wise stewards of the resources He has entrusted to us. Managing our time, money, and relationships responsibly is an important aspect of faithful Christian living. However, if these pursuits become the primary focus of our lives, we have undoubtedly lost sight of where our true citizenship lies.

To put this into perspective, imagine if an unbeliever had access to our schedules, bank accounts, work relationships, or conversations. What would they conclude about our priorities? Would they see someone who seeks eternal values, or someone primarily invested in earthly success? These questions are not meant to induce guilt but rather to serve as a challenging reminder of where our focus should be.

Our actions and conversations as followers of Christ should reflect a greater concern for investing in our eternal home rather than merely striving for success in this world. As we move forward in our faith, let us be Christians who seek not after the fleeting kingdoms of this earth but after the kingdom where our true citizenship belongs.

"For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come." — Hebrews 13:14

Serving Together,

Luke Black