January 2021
As a missionary family living in a foreign land, it is not uncommon for us to feel a little homesick once in a while. We love our adopted country of Italy, have a passion for the Italian language and people, and feel incredibly blessed to be part of the mission in Milan. But we also miss our family in the United States. In God’s kind providence, we were able to see them this Christmas in Alexandria, Virginia. It had been almost two years since I had seen my daughters and it was the first time that I was able to meet my grandchild, Isabella Jane. Many of you were praying that we’d make it over to the States for a family visit. Thank you!
Janie, Iain, and I returned to Milan on January 4 feeling refreshed and thankful for the time we were able to spend with our family. Two days later, on January 6, we were stunned by the news of the violent breach of the Capitol building. Like so many Americans, our hearts broke as we watched images of this chaotic scene in our deeply divided homeland.
As I reflected on this disheartening event, the first passage that came to mind was Hebrews 13:14: “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” It is easy to forget that all Christians – not just those of us who are foreign missionaries and expats – are pilgrims in this life. Although we are U.S. citizens and legal residents of Italy, neither of these countries are our permanent home. As those united with Christ, we are citizens of an eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb. 12:28). Our hope is not in earthly presidents, political causes, or winning the culture war, but in the eternal “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Pet. 1:4), which Christ purchased for us through his blood and has secured by his resurrection. In other words, our homeland is heaven. Like the patriarchs long ago, we are “strangers and exiles on the earth” and we “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (Heb 11:13, 16).
In no way is this a call to retreat or passivism. On the contrary, the church has a serious job to do. We’ve been given an urgent mission by our King to go into all the world and make his disciples through the ordinary means of grace (Matt. 28:18-20). The truth is that, like the early church of the first three centuries, we will have far more influence on society by preaching the gospel and loving our neighbors (including our enemies) than we ever will by wielding political power. Politicians may be able to accomplish some good things, but they cannot create faith, hope, and love. They may even be able to protect the civil liberties of their citizens (including the unborn), but they cannot liberate man’s sinful human heart. Only the gospel can do that. While the nations rage and the kingdoms totter, the Holy Spirit continues to use the simple ministry of Word and Sacrament to announce the greatest news ever heard and raise dead sinners to life. That humble ministry will ultimately outlast, outwit, and – at the return of Christ – overcome all the earthly kingdoms of this world.
Yes, we are homesick. But we are homesick for our true homeland, heaven. Our prayer is that until the Lord calls us home, we will be faithful in the mission he has given us to testify of his gospel, reach the lost, and minister to his saints. May the Lord strengthen us in the mission to Milan, and may he strengthen you, dear Christian, as you set your mind on things above, “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”
