Have you ever thought about your citizenship? Well, I’ve been thinking about what it means to be an American citizen. Just the title screams privilege and responsibility. I was born an American citizen. With it came all the parts that make this country so great. To experience the privilege, its integrity must be preserved. I have certain unalienable rights that come wrapped in responsibility. I have lived in a third world country and believe me, when I say, I am an American through and through, I say it with pride of ownership!
There is a description of another citizenship that I am a part of, that also, comes with privilege and responsibility. I guess you could say I have dual-citizenship, like my daughter, Kim, who was born in Panama.
I was recently reading the responsibilities of that citizenship and those who “will live in the tent of the Lord” and “live on His holy hill”! I’m no slacker, but this list (Psalm 15) was an eye-opener because it came with such promise and responsibility! The person who can claim the promise:
1. Walks in integrity
2. Works righteousness
3. Speaks truth in his heart
4. Does not slander with his tongue
5. Does not do evil to his neighbor
6. Does not take up a reproach against his friend
7. Honors those who fear the Lord
8. Swears to his own hurt and does not change
9. Does not put out his money at interest
10. Does not take a bribe against the innocent
“He who does these things will NEVER be shaken!
Sounds good to me…a win…win! In these days of world turmoil, we don’t need an earthquake to be shaken…there’s certainly enough going on around us, in just the unknowns, “to keep the pot stirred”!
This is a promise, given with love, provision and conditions…
I’m, earnestly, taking it seriously…
How about you?
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
