Scripture for today:  Hebrews 11:13b and 14 …”and they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.  People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.”

Do you remember the old song on Sesame Street that says, “One of these things is not like the other.  One of these things just doesn’t belong…”  It is obvious from this photo which of us does not belong.  Living as a foreigner in France means one often feels like a “cultural misfit.”  After 23 years of living in France I am still dumbfounded by newly discovered differences in their thinking!

What is even more surprising to me is having this same out-of-place feeling when visiting the USA.  My frame of reference has changed and I have grown comfortable with what previously was strange to me.  I find it difficult to change again to the American way of thinking when there.  So in fact, I consider myself a “cultural misfit” on both sides of the ocean.

The verse for today is in a chapter that lists the great men and women of faith.  What is true of all of them is that they were looking for a country of their own.  They were not comfortable in their culture.  In verse 16 it says they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God.  So in one sense, we are ALL called to be “cultural misfits.”  As believers our citizenship is in heaven and we are not to feel too comfortable in whatever country we live.  We are not home yet.

One day, I will cease feeling like a square peg in a round hole.  One day, I will belong.  One day, I will no longer have need of a passport, visa, or suitcase.  One day the same will be true for YOU.  But for now, let’s encourage one another that it’s OK to be a “cultural misfit” for Christ’s sake.