“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. ” (Hebrews 11:13–16, ESV)
Christians are pilgrims and exiles in this world; our true citizenship is in heaven. We are citizens of the heavenly city, members of the kingdom of God. While we are not of this world, we are to be in it while we wait for our Savior (Phil. 3:20). We live in two cities, two kingdoms.
This pilgrim and exile is a follower of Christ and an unworthy recipient of the lavish grace of God. I am the husband of an amazing wife and father of eight wonderful children. I serve as a ruling elder at my church and have a busy pediatric practice. All of which too is by the grace of God. As a pilgrim, I am primarily focused on setting my hope in God. And in addition to marriage and parenting eight children, I spend a great deal of time homeschooling my children together with my wife. I love taking care of kids in my practice and teaching and helping parents care for their children. I also enjoy teaching and serving at my church. And if I have any time left, I enjoy cooking, gardening, and computer programming.