Displaced persons

They did not keep thinking about the country they had left; if they had, they would have had the chance to return. Instead, it was a better country they longed for, the heavenly country. And so God is not ashamed for them to call him their God, because he has prepared a city for them. (verses 15,16)

Read Hebrews 11:13-22

After World War II, Australia took in many migrants. Quite a number of them were displaced persons, people who no longer had a home in a Europe which had been torn to pieces by that conflict and the Cold War that followed it. For the majority of them, there was no hope of returning to their past. The future was the only option, and they were keen to adopt citizenship in their new home when it was offered. Their new country was happy to have them.

One of the saddest things that can befall us is when we mistake this present world, beautiful as it is, for our final home. Those of us who have become God’s through baptism know that we no longer belong here but are displaced persons, waiting to be taken to our new and permanent home which our God has prepared for us. Meanwhile we make preparations for our journey and look forward to our future happiness.

Dear Lord, thank you for choosing me for your emigration program. I look forward to life in your kingdom forever. Amen.

by Richard Hauser, in ‘New Strength for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 1998)

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