All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 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. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Am I looking for a country of my own? Many people groups have come to the United States of America to look for a country of their own. In this world, the USA is a beacon of freedom, opportunity, safety, and lawful living. And it represented a place on earth where their values, hopes, and dreams could begin to materialize.

In a much more dramatic and incredibly awesome fashion, we can seek another country to belong to while living on this earth — heaven. If we believe and follow Jesus, it’s like we have dual citizenship in our country of origin on earth and also in heaven; but heaven is over all and our citizenship there trumps our earthly citizenship in every way. So while many seek their rewards here on earth, as Christ-followers we do not have to be limited to such temporary and fleeting rewards.

No, we can work for and seek heavenly rewards issued by Jesus. And in comparison to the rewards of this world, heaven’s rewards are 100+ times (really, infinitely) more valuable!

Lord, thank you for your heavenly kingdom that I belong to today and get to enter, upon completion of my earthly mission. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on my heavenly rewards, while serving you here in this sinful and broken world. And may many come into your kingdom as a result of your great work in me!