Spain, December 20,2011
Two
thinkers as ideologically opposed as Martin Heidegger and
Karl Marx agreed on the importance of at least one theme.
In fact, according to these philosophers, the concept
of alienation
was a crucial
element to understanding human existence. This idea
of alienation
implies a feeling
of separation. In theory, it represents the condition of
all men precisely because we are in the world yet do not
feel at home.
A few weeks ago, my parents left Spain after almost 30
years of service here. They made the decision to leave the
country where my sister and I grew up in order to return to
the country where we were born. As our son Andrew said this
last week, we now “live in different spaces”
(this is true both spatially as well as symbolically).
Saying goodbye to my parents was in a sense saying farewell
to what had been my main ties for much of my life (they
were the only constant). For me the defining sentiment of
being a TCK (third culture kid) has been this feeling of
not belonging. Whether we were in the States, in Spain or
anywhere else, I was always aware of the fact that I
wasn’t completely rooted in these social contexts.
And yet I sense that I am not alone.
Every week I come into contact with immigrants who feel
like they don’t belong and suffer from estrangement.
On the other hand, I frequently talk with Spaniards and
other Europeans who also express a void in their lives. In
reality, all of us lack a sense of being completely
settled. We know deep down, that this world lacks something
or that it’s not complete. No material possession, no
social relationship and no human ideology can satisfy our
longing for home.
The good news is Jesus Christ. He immigrated to this world
so that we wouldn’t have to suffer
alienation
from God. Because
of Him, we are able to obtain true freedom, complete
acceptance and genuine belonging. Our celebration of his
birth reminds us that we all long for something more than
this world can offer. As Philippians 3:20 says, “For
our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we look for
the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”. We long for that
heavenly city and for the day when He says, “Welcome
home”.
Thank you for your support of Free Will Baptist
International Missions as we work towards communicating the
Good News to all people. Our organization is struggling
financially and we need your help more than ever before. We
ask that you please consider giving a special offering to
FWBIM. We sincerely hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
For Him,
Matthew, Brooke, Andrew, Caroline and Daniel
Turnbough
Spain address:
Matthew and Brooke Turnbough
C/ Guadalajara 10
28440 Guadarrama (Madrid)
Spain
mturnbough@fwbgo.com
