Abraham, the Expat
We've been studying the life of Abraham over the last 6 weeks and as I was sitting in Bible study this morning, it hit me. At the end of our lesson, as a group we listed one word descriptions of Abraham. The group came up with faithful, friend (of God), okay we cheated a bit here, righteous, obedient, father, and a few others. But we did not include one that for me has great impact. We could call Abraham an expat.
Now, a few years ago that would not have really meant much to me. But now, you see, I am an expat. (Or as my mom would jokingly say, "I are one.")
There are probably many expats living near my home in North Carolina. But I just have never realized the impact that fact would have on their lives. As far as I know, I am a temporary expat in regards to my time in Switzerland, although only the Lord knows that for sure. Like Abraham, the Lord clearly showed us that He was moving us. Unlike Abraham, He did tell us where, at least at this point in our life's journey, He was placing us. And I for one, am very grateful.
I have previously written in this blog about the impact that living abroad has had on my thinking and the impact hasn't lessened with time, in some ways it has only deepened its impact. Day-by-day, I begin to understand more and more Swiss culture, Swiss thought patterns, Swiss way of life that is very different than the country of my origin. Sometimes it's something little, like the illustration of a Swiss man's willingness to pay full price for something when traveling in Malaysia because he saw the item as being a good price (everything seems inexpensive after you leave Switzerland!) and you would never negotiate a price. "Well, of course he responded that way," a Swiss friend laughed, "He's Swiss!" Or watching the street sweepers come along between the small herds of cows during an Alpfahrt and "clean up" before the next herd walks through!! Tidy and efficient. Just two words that definitely describe Swiss culture.
And I was also reminded that the question of where I reside comes up frequently. Today's e-mail included a note from Steven saying that I had been summoned for Jury Duty. According to the notice, one source of disqualification as a juror is if I am "not a resident of the county." I guess that will be my response. But that always gives me pause to think. At no other time in my life have I had to stop and think when someone asks "Where do you live?" That used to be a very easy answer. Now I'm never really sure how to answer that questions.
Well, we've got a house in NC where most of my "stuff" is, but I'm not sure you can say we "live" there. We pay a mortgage on that house, pay a phone bill so our phone number won't change, have a car parked in the garage there, keep most of our memorabilia there, have most of our important paperwork there, plan on returning there, and yet you couldn't really say we live there. We pop in for a visit. We grab a few things from out of filing cabinets, off bookshelves (okay, maybe a bit more than "few!!"), leave some things there, have some meals and great family time and then we're off to...where we live, I guess. Yes, my legal residence is North Carolina, but I'm an expat.
I have experienced being a "foreigner and an alien" before. I was a Yankee who moved to North Carolina after all. But it really took living in a different country to understand all the emotions that go along with it. But like Abraham, I am an expat in more than one way. Not only am I a foreigner and an alien while living in Switzerland, but I'm always an expat even when I'm in the states.
Now, a few years ago that would not have really meant much to me. But now, you see, I am an expat. (Or as my mom would jokingly say, "I are one.")
An expatriate (or expat as we are commonly referred to) is a person who is temporarily or permanently residing in a
country and culture other than that of their
upbringing or legal residence.
Last year when someone asked why I had missed a large number of the Bible studies, a friend reminded her I was a first-year expat. That's all my friend needed to say. First-year expats always have many guests from home and so it is expected that when you're a new expat you will spend much of your time extending hospitality and serving as tour guide.country and culture other than that of their
upbringing or legal residence.
There are probably many expats living near my home in North Carolina. But I just have never realized the impact that fact would have on their lives. As far as I know, I am a temporary expat in regards to my time in Switzerland, although only the Lord knows that for sure. Like Abraham, the Lord clearly showed us that He was moving us. Unlike Abraham, He did tell us where, at least at this point in our life's journey, He was placing us. And I for one, am very grateful.
I have previously written in this blog about the impact that living abroad has had on my thinking and the impact hasn't lessened with time, in some ways it has only deepened its impact. Day-by-day, I begin to understand more and more Swiss culture, Swiss thought patterns, Swiss way of life that is very different than the country of my origin. Sometimes it's something little, like the illustration of a Swiss man's willingness to pay full price for something when traveling in Malaysia because he saw the item as being a good price (everything seems inexpensive after you leave Switzerland!) and you would never negotiate a price. "Well, of course he responded that way," a Swiss friend laughed, "He's Swiss!" Or watching the street sweepers come along between the small herds of cows during an Alpfahrt and "clean up" before the next herd walks through!! Tidy and efficient. Just two words that definitely describe Swiss culture.
And I was also reminded that the question of where I reside comes up frequently. Today's e-mail included a note from Steven saying that I had been summoned for Jury Duty. According to the notice, one source of disqualification as a juror is if I am "not a resident of the county." I guess that will be my response. But that always gives me pause to think. At no other time in my life have I had to stop and think when someone asks "Where do you live?" That used to be a very easy answer. Now I'm never really sure how to answer that questions.
Well, we've got a house in NC where most of my "stuff" is, but I'm not sure you can say we "live" there. We pay a mortgage on that house, pay a phone bill so our phone number won't change, have a car parked in the garage there, keep most of our memorabilia there, have most of our important paperwork there, plan on returning there, and yet you couldn't really say we live there. We pop in for a visit. We grab a few things from out of filing cabinets, off bookshelves (okay, maybe a bit more than "few!!"), leave some things there, have some meals and great family time and then we're off to...where we live, I guess. Yes, my legal residence is North Carolina, but I'm an expat.
I have experienced being a "foreigner and an alien" before. I was a Yankee who moved to North Carolina after all. But it really took living in a different country to understand all the emotions that go along with it. But like Abraham, I am an expat in more than one way. Not only am I a foreigner and an alien while living in Switzerland, but I'm always an expat even when I'm in the states.
"...and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth....But as it is, they desire a better country, that is a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He has prepared a city for them." (Heb 11:13b, 16)
This world truly is not my home. As the old song goes, "I'm just passing through."
"O Lord you know I have no friend like you
If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore."
Words and Music by Albert E. Brumley
If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore."
Words and Music by Albert E. Brumley
Lord, my prayers is not that you will make me feel at home here in Switzerland nor in North Carolina, but that I truly will be aware, day in and day out, that I am an expat. My home is with the Lord. My treasure is there. My hopes are there. My purpose is found in being a citizen of the kingdom which belongs to the Lord Most High, Possessor of Heaven and Earth.
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