Hey hey! It’s hard to believe, but here we are at the final Five Minute Friday link-up of 2022. I’m so glad you’re here!
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This week’s FMF writing prompt is: WITNESS
Setting my timer for five minutes, and . . . GO.Â
Less than two weeks ago, I got to witness my South African husband become a U.S. citizen. After ten years living in the States, it finally happened. He got a letter in the mail that said we would have to drive three hours to Detroit seven days later for his Oath Ceremony.
I can’t really explain the magnitude of being in a room with more than 100 people from who knows how many different countries, all becoming U.S. citizens at the same time. I could feel the weight and significance of the event in the air.
It was impossible to tell where everyone else was from, but we did hear a few country names being called out as people received their certificates of naturalization: Cuba. Democratic Republic of Congo. When “Ukraine” was called out, people cheered.
It felt a bit like a foretaste of heaven, with people from every tongue, tribe, and nation in the same room.
I know how long our journey has been, and I could only imagine what others have endured and persevered through. When the ceremony was complete, it felt as though there was a collective sigh of relief. It was official.
And yet while we are so grateful for this significant step and the opportunities now afforded by that coveted blue passport book, I was also keenly aware that U.S. citizenship — while a privilege and a gift — is also limited. It cannot solve anyone’s problems.
We are all foreigners and aliens here. As believers, our true citizenship is in heaven. During this Advent season, as we anticipate the coming of our King, may we bear witness to His kingdom here on earth and in heaven. Ultimately, we look forward to the new heavens and the new earth where we will dwell with our God forever and ever. Amen.
STOP.
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REMINDER:
There will be NO Five Minute Friday link-up for the next THREE WEEKS
(December 23, December 30, or January 6).
We’ll meet up again here, Lord willing, on January 13th, 2023!
May you have a wonderful, restful, joyful Christmas season and a blessed and happy New Year!
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Join the link-up with your own five-minute freewrite on the prompt, WITNESS, below:
Congratulations, Kagiso and Kate!
I must bear true witness
to my well-lived days;
so often they were witless,
but hey, fun always pays,
like jumping off a second-story
roof to land upon cement.
I thought that it brought me glory,
but others felt that my intent
was to see how fast I’d heal
from my busted feet and legs;
they’ve a right to how they feel,
but if you do not break the eggs,
there won’t be a nice omelette,
and that’s how wifey and I had met.
Four minutes thirty of appalling truth.
“We are all foreigners and aliens here. As believers, our true citizenship is in heaven. During this Advent season, as we anticipate the coming of our King, may we bear witness to His kingdom here on earth and in heaven.” Amen, Kate. Amen. Congratulations to you and your husband, and Merry Christmas !
I remember when my husband and I got our US citizenships. We had our ceremonies on separate days and could not attend together, but it was pretty special anyway. Congratulations to your husband!
The Bible declares or commands we are to make a difference in the world for the glory of God by making disciples of all nations: in our families, in our neighborhoods, in our cities, in our nations and in the world (Matthew 28: 18-20), However, are we first a powerful witness for Christ? The shepherds were the first witnesses of the coming of the Lord Jesus in the city of Bethlehem and thus became the first evangelists sharing with others the greatest good news of the birth of Christ (Luke 2: 16-20). What can we learn about the shepherds who were the first witnesses of the birth or coming of Christ the Lord, the promised Savior, Immanuel (God with us) foretold by prophets of long ago? We would expect the respected learned and powerful religious leaders of Bible times to receive the news firsthand of the birth of Jesus. However, the message of the birth of Jesus and the invitation to witness baby Jesus lying in a manger was reserved for unknown, lowly poor shepherds who led a simple life faithfully and diligently looking after their sheep. The shepherds were told by an angel they will find Christ the Lord, the promised Savior lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes. Although at first, the shepherds were afraid to see the angel appear before them, they trusted the message of the angel because they knew about the prophecies of Christ, and responded quickly and excitedly or eagerly to the good news of the birth of Jesus Christ, especially after witnessing a host of angels declaring:
“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men. Luke 2: 13–14). “
We can learn from the shepherds about witnessing the glory of God in our daily lives. We can choose to be powerful witnesses of God by wholeheartedly trusting and obeying the Lord’s directions in every area of our lives. God reveals His glory to those who are humble and submitted to His will. for He is not necessarily looking for those who are talented, gifted, educated, or famous and powerful (in the eyes of three world ). The Lord is looking for trusting humble hearts that are wholly devoted to Him and responsive to faithfully putting into action God’s will in every area of their lives.
that sounds like a wonderful ceremony. Congratulations. Thank you for the reminder of our heavenly citizenship and how exciting it will be to encounter every tribe and nation in such a glorious way.
I wish you a very blessed Christmas, Kate – full of his perfect peace and great joy.