The Far Side of the World
Patrick O’Brian is a celebrated author of historic
novels. In 1969 he published Master and Commander: The Far Side of the
World, a novel (later turned into a successful movie) about naval
warfare during the Napoleonic War. One reason for this book’s popularity
is O’Brian’s careful attention to navy lore and natural history with
penetrating insights into human nature.
In one stirring scene, Captain “Lucky Jack” Aubrey prepares his crew for
battle. He tells them, “England is under threat of invasion, and though
we be on the far side of the world, this ship is our home. This ship is
England!":
Captain Aubrey’s view of citizenship is based on loyalty, not location. And this conviction clearly illustrates a biblical principle. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, a Roman colony: “Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).
It is important for us to be reminded that though we live on this side of heaven for now, our eternal home is the place where our loyalty should lie. We need to “set our mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). As we go about our earthly duties, let us keep heaven in mind each day.
Patrick O'Brian
1914-2000
From Our Daily Bread, July 21, 2006
Beyond earth’s sorrows, the joys of heaven;
Beyond earth’s shadows, a glorious dawn;
Beyond earth’s battles, a sweet peace unending;
Beyond earth’s sunset is heaven’s first morn.
—Gilmore