I had the privilege of visiting a number of different countries in a short space of time. The Netherlands, France and Australia, and also closer to home here in Africa: Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. I even walked a few metres into Zambia.

It is noticeable that the people of every country possess something unique. The Dutch talk funny and you sort of get what they’re saying. The French are rather curt and fed up with all the tourists in their country and they’re not bothered about hiding their dislike.

Aussies everywhere are friendly. Just like the Namibians who would do anything to make you feel at home. There is always something lovely in the other African countries and you see big smiles everywhere.

There are many differences within one nation, but there is a golden thread that links everyone. When you spend a little time in a stranger’s life, you see the golden thread running through it and you know exactly where that person comes from.

But not always, because people mingle. They leave their home country to go and live with their children or where it is safer. Eventually they become so much part of the new country that they start doing things the way that country’s people do it. The first generation might still be recognised as strangers here and there, but the next generation is so at home in the new country that they become exactly like that country’s people.

And that is understandable.

You and I also do not just belong to the nation of the country where we live, we also belong to God’s people. ¹⁴He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

The question is whether this is so? When people spend a few minutes in our company, will they recognise us as children of Jesus’ people?

Each of us have to answer that question for ourselves.

I know many of us have become so much part of this world that we can no longer be recognised as children of Jesus’ people. We enjoy our lives too much to stand up. We are so busy with our own matters that our own selves take centre stage and we no longer form part of it. We’re busy building our own kingdom, founding our own nation.

And that own nation of ours won’t make it. When the storm winds start blowing, we’ll fall apart, we won’t remain standing.

We need one another. To keep going through life as God’s people, we need fellow believers. Let’s make a point of living like children of the light. Let’s take hands and break away from sin. Let’s live a life of victory together. Children who are free from the burden of sin.

Yes, let’s not be shy and show the world what the people of God look like, so that they can become jealous and long to become part of God’s people too.

Scripture
Titus 2:11-14

Reflection
Are you part of God’s people?
Can others see it?
Who are the fellow believers who can help you with this?

Prayer
Lord, my own plans and dreams are so important to me that I sometimes forget that I’m part of your kingdom, your people. Please help me to put You first, and to live the culture of heaven here on earth. Amen.