Citizens of Heaven

Reading yesterday’s papers on the journey back from Cambridge I noticed an article entitled “Raising the colours”. Apparently there’s a social media campaign encouraging people to fly the Union Jack or St George’s Cross flags. Having been off for weeks looking after 5 grandchildren (3 more on the way) and grabbing some R&R on the Dorset coast I must say I hadn’t noticed.

But then driving over to Rawcliffe to pick up the dog from his sitter we saw no less than 4 makeshift St George Cross flags, tied to bridges and lamp posts. Apparently this has divided public opinion, with some saying it’s just harmless patriotism and others fearing racist undertones, given the worries over illegal migrants and the pressures on the NHS, schools, benefits and housing.

As Christians, how should we view this?

We have an identity which transcends nationality and we are tasked with sharing the Good News about Jesus with all nations, to the ends of the earth. Philippians 3:20 says “but our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…” There’s nothing wrong with expressing loyalty to one’s country, team or organisation, but we have another, higher loyalty which demands that we sometimes put aside our own fears, needs and desires and take up our cross to follow Jesus.

My 3 year old grandson finds it hard when his 1 year old sister wrecks his puzzle, or dismantles his Duplo house. But he has to learn to be tolerant and to share, and it’s hard. And sometimes doing what God requires of us is hard too. A few years ago Philip and I took two Ukrainian refugees under our roof. We had to share. We had to sacrifice. It wasn’t always easy, but we knew that we were doing the right thing. It was ours to do. And through it I hope we grew in grace and tolerance.

So fly your flag if you want to, but remember whose Kingdom you ultimately belong to. When the Kingdom of God comes in all its fullness, as we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, flags and nationalities won’t matter anymore. And meanwhile if we practice these Kingdom values of humility, mercy, love for God and neighbour, forgiveness and reconciliation, Heaven touches earth and we get a glimpse of the heart of God for humanity.

Rachel