I began writing this message from a Starbuck’s in Watsonville where my husband and I came to check email and Facebook group messages on our computers while vacationing at a campground near Sunset Beach. The town was only a few miles from our campsite. The straight, heavily patched roadways leading to a population center with the promise of a coffeehouse were flanked by crops with groups of farmworkers hunched over plants plucking strawberries.
In one field a large Mexican flag unfurled in the wind. And many shops in Watsonville featured Hispanic products. The cultural makeup of the area was recognizable. Cities, towns, and communities across America often reflect the population that lives there.
Will heaven reflect a righteous and holy people dedicated to God? Most assuredly! But we are to reflect heaven on earth, just as the people of Mexican heritage reflect their background in Watsonville. They are not in Mexico, yet their roots are obvious. Those of us who are in Christ are citizens of heaven [Philippians 3:20]. We don’t presently live there, but rather than blend with the world we look different because we reflect our heavenly Father.
The Israelites were chosen to represent God to all nations and at times they stood out but often they began to reflect the culture of other people who inhabited the land. Christians are chosen too.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 ESV
Do people know we are children of God? Do we reflect our family heritage?
A lot of the music on the sound system in this Watsonville Starbucks were songs sung in Spanish. Is our language that of a Christian, does our language reflect our culture? I am not speaking of what many refer to as “Christianese” which are concepts of Christianity such as being “born again” or experiencing “regeneration.” But the words we choose when interacting with people. Words that are beneficial to all who are listening [Ephesians 4:29]; words that are pleasant to hear [Ephesians 5:19-21].
Sometimes the clothing we wear is indicative of our culture. Several years ago, I went on a mission trip to India and the organization supervising the work asked all participants to dress in culturally appropriate attire. Women wore long skirts and loose blouses in Indian prints and even traditional dress such as sarees.
What do citizens of heaven wear? We clothe ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. The apostle Peter tells us “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.” [1 Peter 3:3] Instead, “Clothe yourselves with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” [1 Peter 3:4]
We pick up the attributes of those we are closest to as well. If our culture shows respect for the elderly, we will be patient with those who are advanced in age. Time spent in God’s Word and in His presence will result in a greater likeness through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” [2 Corinthians 3:18b]
I didn’t expect the Holy Spirit to deliver a lesson as we drove the streets of Watsonville looking for a coffeehouse. But sometimes the best lessons are unexpected.
©2024 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved
Let’s Talk
1-What can you add to my thoughts on how we reveal to the world we are citizens of heaven? Leave a comment!
2-Share an unexpected lesson you received from the Holy Spirit.