First Presbyterian Church Fort Dodge

Throughout this fall, many of the pastors in our Presbytery have been reading a book called Resident Aliens, by Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon. The Macedonian Ministry cohorts within our Presbytery represent roughly 25 pastors who gather monthly for study, prayer, worship, and sharing a meal together. The pastors of these cohorts have been reading this book together.

A central question for the twenty-seven year old book remains relevant for today. In essence, the book asks, “How does the Church live out its calling to be a sign and foretaste of the kingdom of God?” Drawing from the idea of 1 Peter 2:11, the authors point out that Christians are resident aliens. Our citizenship is in heaven. We Christians live as a community on the frontier, in an outpost, showing the world an alternative way of life.

This has caused me to ask myself, “What does it mean to live as a Christian in Fort Dodge in 2016?” In a practical sense, how is my life different than one who does not profess faith in Jesus?

While a teenager, the answer to this question came easily. Don’t party. Don’t drink. Don’t mess around with the opposite. Etc…

But now as an adult, husband, and father, where those teenage temptations are no longer as relevant, I ask myself, “On a day to day basis, how is my life different from one who does not follow Jesus?” Even more, instead of listing a bunch of sins that I don’t commit, what does the lordship of Jesus call me to actually do?

So I ask you this same question. Think about your day today. How would it have been different if you didn’t believe in Jesus? Consider your priorities in life. How would they be different if you didn’t follow Christ? How about the way you spend your time, or the way you maintain your relationships?

Take an inventory of your life. You are a resident alien, living in a foreign land. What does that mean for you?

Blessings,

Austin D. Hill