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You Don’t Really Belong Here

On August 19 2025 I had the good fortune of becoming a Dutch citizen.

After having lived my whole life as a Canadian, I was now no longer just a Canadian, but a European, a Dutchie. It was an odd feeling, I must admit, to now have a new piece added to my identity.

No longer was it “those” Dutchies and their bread with cheese, and windmills.

I was now one of those very Dutch people. True, I did not grow up in the Netherlands, and have not experienced all of what it means to be Dutch.

But still, by legal and lawful right, I now have all the right and privileges that come with being a citizen of the Netherlands.

I can vote in the upcoming election, I can travel and work anywhere in the EU, I can rely on the government for support should I ever need it, and nothing that is entailed to a person born and raised in the Netherlands is withheld from me.

I am a Dutch citizen.

Citizens of heaven

In Ephesians 2:19 Paul relates these words to his readers.

And in Philippians 3:20 we hear him again say:

This idea of citizenship outlined here by Paul has new meaning to me as I have now learned what it means to live in a land not my own and be granted citizenship.

And I imagine for the readers of the letters Paul wrote, who knew of the benefits that came with Roman citizenship at the time, the effect would have been similar.

A citizen has rights and privileges, and may request something of the state.

A citizen is not a stranger or an alien.

A citizen belongs.

And it that point that I will dwell upon for just a moment, that you may be enraptured by the beauty of what Paul here describes.

Our citizenship is in heaven. We are citizens of heaven. Let me repeat it again. Citizens of HEAVEN! 

We have all the rights and privileges bestowed upon those who lawfully and rightfully belong to heaven.

We belong there, alongside our brothers and sisters of the household of God, together, praising Him together. 

And it is there, in heaven, where we will find our rest, and where we will feel like we have finally reached home.

Where we will find we are welcomed with open nail pierced arms, and given all that is rightfully ours as citizens of heaven.

So whatever toil this week you have had, whatever joy or longing or sadness your heart is filled with. May I remind you with this.

You are a citizen of heaven. 

And that is something worth rejoicing in, longing for, and reminding ourselves of.

Until next week,

Be Blessed,

Aaron

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