Driving in New Zealand

My wife kept referring to it as the “wrong side of the road,” to which I would quickly counter “it is the correct side of the road in this country.”  Just one of the many indicators that we were tourists in a strange country – aliens if you please.

We tried to adapt to local custom. I even ate food that I would never have chosen on my own. (For those of you who know me…that is really saying something!) I learned some of the language: yes they speak English but they have some unique terms. Betsi finally learned how to order a “long black” coffee which is really good.

I drove one of the cars around the country finding my way without the aid of a GPS. We enjoyed getting to know the people of New Zealand during our visit. It is one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited and the people are amazingly friendly.

However…it was not our home. It reminds me of the passage in Hebrews 11:13-16 where the writer to the Hebrews says that we are strangers and pilgrims looking for a Heavenly Home. We can enjoy this terrestrial ball on which we live. We may get accustomed to the customs. We can fall in love with the people. We can even travel on the correct side of the road. But this is not our Home!

We should never forget that we are here on a temporary visit or visa if you please and that one day…maybe TODAY…we really will be going HOME!