Looking at all the falling leaves on my backyard, I know it is time for us to prepare for winter. Each year, we have to spend weeks in collecting the falling leaves because they don’t come down at the same time. For sure, it is a laborious work for us. 

Those falling leaves on the ground lets me think of an old Chinese saying, “A falling leaf returns its root落葉歸根”. This also refers to an expatriate returning to his / her hometown in old age. For most of us, there is always such a special sentiment when we go back to where we were coming from originally, especially when we have left home for a long time. The desire of going back to our originating home is always fascinating to me – why we have such a strong desire to go back to our originating home even we know its surrounding may be completely different from our memory?

Tell you the truth; it has puzzled me for years. Not until when I met God I finally realize its answer – we were created to search for our originating creator. Henceforth, we are always having a desire to go back to where we are coming from. The question is can this inner longing be quenched when we go back to our earthly hometown in old age? I would say “No”.  Because the author of the book of Hebrews told us that there is a “better country” desired by the people in faith. He indicated that “they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 他們卻羨慕一個更美的家鄉，就是在天上的‧所以神被稱為他們的神，並不以為恥‧因為他已經給他們預備了一座城 (Hebrews 11:16)” This gives us two very important aspects. One is the eyesight of a person in faith is different. He / She would consider himself / herself to be a foreigner and stranger on earth. Therefore the earthly home to him/her is just temporary. The other is they are confident that God will prepare a city for them in heaven, which is eternal. What a beautiful faith!

If you are like me that have moved abroad from your hometown for years, you may align with me the sentiment of “a lone ranger in a strange country with homesickness in each festive day獨在異鄉為孤客，每逢佳節倍思親”。However, the witnessing of faith from the book of Hebrews tells me that I don’t need to be in this sentimental stage anymore. Because I have a caring and loving father in heaven and He will prepare a beautiful home for me. Also, I don’t need to long for “fame and wealth in this world” because they are temporary. The attitude toward living like a people in faith is exactly what our God wants us to have.  When we can see things from God’s eye, then we will not be troubled by this world’s view of position, fame and wealth.

My dear friends, are you still searching for a better country (更美的家鄉) in this world? My answer to you is: you will never be able to find it. It is only when you know God personally, then you will find your longing being fulfilled. May you find what you are longing for – a better country. 

Disclaimer: The sharing is pure from my personal view; therefore, please don’t take it to be absolute. Thanks.