Principal

Greetings Friends!

As many of our politicians 'discover' they have dual citizenship, I too realised that I am a dual citizen. My father was born in Glasgow, Scotland and except for haggis, I love all things Scottish.

Citizenship means that you legally belong to a country and hence have the rights and protection of that country.

When Paul and I lived in Africa, we had some dear friends who were missionaries from the United States of America. As American citizens they knew that they were covered and protected if ever there was an emergency and often told us of their evacuation plans if they ever needed to escape. They used these connections in their sudden escape from war-torn Liberia and since felt 'covered' by their Government.

Being Australians we did feel 'safe' knowing that our U.S. friends would also warn us of any dangers, as the Australian Government (to our knowledge) did not have such plans 25 years ago in Africa.

Also as 'Aussies' we represented Australia and took with us wherever we lived in the Solomon Islands, Botswana and Tanzania, the Aussie friendship and mateship characteristics that Australians are known for. We were ambassadors of Australia.

But in our hearts, we wanted to be ambassadors for Christ - and for us that was more important. Our eternal identity is far more important than our earthly identity.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,​

Ephesians 2:19

As a born again Christian, by my faith in Jesus Christ, I am a citizen of heaven, an eternal kingdom where God is the King. While I daily surrender my whole life to Jesus and keep my eyes fixed on Him, I grow in the Fruit of the Spirit and become a little more like Jesus, adopting His characteristics.

 As I reflect on my multiple citizenship status (first my heavenly, then Australian and British), my first yearning is to belong to Him - my Father and my Lord. I know where I belong and where I am headed and I don't even need a passport!

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians 3:20-21

What is your citizenship and where are you headed?

Be blessed!

Catriona Wansbrough

Principal