Holy Sojourners

Welcome to my new site! In honor of my fifth blogging anniversary, I have given this site a complete makeover. I’m thrilled to announce that as part of the makeover, the site’s name has changed from Words of Faith, Hope & Love to Holy Sojourners. This post will explain the reasons behind this decision, the significance of the name “Holy Sojourners”, and what to expect in the future.

One evening in the Autumn of 2018, I had a spontaneous idea to start a blog. During that time, I was experiencing an extended period of unemployment and struggling with depression. The idea of starting a blog had never crossed my mind, and I barely even knew what a blog was. So, I quickly brushed off the strange idea and went to sleep.

But the silly little notion persisted.

In the days that followed, I unwittingly brainstormed ideas for content, the name of my blog, its appearance, etc. That idea that began small, like a mustard seed, grew and consumed my thoughts so much that I felt compelled to start a blog. Thus, I launched Words of Faith, Hope, and Love a few months later, on January 13th, 2019.

Needless to say, I was utterly clueless about what I was doing. There was no apparent intention behind my writing, just whatever topic came to mind. However, after a few years of writing aimlessly, I realized the value of blogging with a specific purpose.

I sought wisdom through prayer and carefully evaluated my gifts, talents, and interests to discern how to use this site to bless the body of Christ. It dawned on me that I want to use my blog to encourage Christians to live as holy citizens of heaven during their journey through the world. I want to help Christians live like holy sojourners.

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20

Scripture often likens believers to sojourners. God has granted us heavenly citizenship through our salvation, making us pilgrims and foreigners on this earth. As a result, God calls us to be in the world, but not of the world. And with heaven being our true home, we are called to live on earth as its worthy citizens during our sojourn here. We must separate our manner of life and conduct from those who belong in the world.

Our identity as sojourners is significant to me because I have been a foreigner throughout my life. I left my home country when I was eight and have since lived in four countries, five states/provinces, and eleven cities. Being an alien my whole life, I know what it’s like to live in a group without belonging and feeling like a stranger everywhere. This experience has deepened my understanding of what it means to be a sojourner of Christ. It has also sparked my interest in exploring this topic further.

“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:15-16

Along with being sojourners, God also calls us to be holy. To be holy simply means to be set apart. Scripture often discusses holiness in two different ways: objectively and subjectively. When used objectively, holiness refers to our new nature that separates us from the world and conforms us to the image of Christ. Therefore, all believers are holy because God called us out of the world and consecrated us for His good purposes.

Scripture also uses holiness in a subjective sense to refer to our gradual weaning from worldly pleasures and affections. It involves our personal efforts to put off sin and practice godliness. We can only strive for personal holiness because God has made us holy. As Paul said in Philippians 3:12, we press on to make it our own because Christ has already made us His own.

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” Peter 2:11-12.

Putting it all together, God calls us to be holy sojourners on earth. Our pilgrimage is not purposeless but a quest to pursue holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

The blog may have a new name and purpose, but you can still expect the same content. My theological beliefs, commitments, and values remain unchanged. I hope and pray that this site, regardless of its name, will always glorify God and edify His Church.

Thank you for reading this far. I hope you will join me in embracing our identity as holy sojourners and pursuing holiness on our journey to the city that is to come.

“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the one that is to come.” Hebrew 13:14