“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland” (Hebrews 11:13-14).
International travel has many stressors. Often there are unfamiliar customs, a language barrier, different weather patterns, and few, if any, familiar or friendly faces.
Being out of your homeland by yourself usually generates much culture shock and home sickness. When Abram and Sarai left Ur of Chaldees for their one-hundred-year sojourn, they never returned.
For them, living by faith meant living as a refugee (and thus being regarded with hatred, suspicion, and contempt) and a pilgrim—lacking in any permanent address.
To them, their homeland was not where they had grown up nor where they currently were dwelling. Their homeland was heavenly and “therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16).
For all who live by faith, the earthly homeland you leave behind is vastly inferior to the heavenly homeland you are sojourning to.
