Is your ship homeward bound?
Many years ago, a missionary
and his wife were returning on a
ship to America. They had just ended 30 long years of serving
God and spreading His gospel on the mission field. As the ship
docked in New York City, the couple, in the process of preparing
their effects for departure, were suddenly startled by loud
noises. The ship's whistle blew, a band played feverishly, and
people screamed. The couple feared for their safety and
rushed to the deck to see what was happening.
Immediately, they recognized the famous celebrity standing
at
the top of the ramp. Decked out in silks and furs, she waved
and threw kisses to the crowd below. With each flick of a finger,
the crowd screamed and maneuvered for a closer view.
Photographers clicked photo after photo, determined to capture
the golden moment for posterity. It seemed each person within
sight was caught up in the chaotic moment.
The two missionaries watched with numbing disbelief.
They were
returning from mission work where they had spent most
of their
adult lives serving God on a foreign field, winning souls to His
kingdom. But as they watched this awesome circus atmosphere,
like humans will sometimes do, they could not help but feel a
twinge of hurt. Here were hundreds to welcome this worldly
celebrity, but not one person came to welcome THEM home.
One of the missionaries, deepdown felt the pang
and hurt and
momentarily questioned his Maker.
"Why God?" he asked, "We've spent most of our lives serving
you on the mission field and when we finally arrive home,
NO ONE is here to welcome us!"
Faster than a twinkle of the eye, came the reassuring
answer:
"My child...you're not HOME yet!"
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How lovingly God answered the cry!
I wish I knew how the missionary responded to his Maker, but
I believe his heart leaped for joy when he realized that no,
he WASN'T home yet!
HEAVEN was his REAL destination and what a celebration God
surely planned for his arrival.
For God said in His Word,
"...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him."
What a wondrous experience awaited the missionary,
not in this
world but that glorious world to come. When his time arrived
to enter the gates, the angels singing would shake the raptures
of Glory. Moses, Isaiah, David, Peter, Paul and all of the
prophets, apostles and saints would be there with arms
extended as God placed a crown upon his head and said,
"...Well done, thou good and faithful servant:
thou hast been faithful over a few things,
I will make thee ruler over many things:
enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
Hallelujah! What a homecoming!
This story is a great account of Christians serving
our God here
on Earth. Most don't receive any recognition from our worldly
populace, but true Christians don't serve God for plaudits and
citations. We serve God because we love Him and live
our lives only to glorify Him.
I've known many saints who've died and gone on to a
Heavenly abode. Their faces will never grace a simple
postage stamp, nor will there ever be a street named in their
honor, and their names will never be etched in stone on a
memorial, but their worth to God far exceeds that of the greatest
King who ever lived. Their holy lives have left an imprint on
the
soul, mind and heart of their family, neighbors, and friends, and
this imprint will carry unto the sounding of the final trumpet.
What a legacy!
So let us remember...no matter how lowly our state
in
life...or no matter how high it may be...if we but serve our
Creator with truth and love...a grand arrival awaits us when
we enter the pearly white gates and bow at the magnificent
throne of Almighty God.
Who among us need laurels when we are
serving the God of the universe and trusting
in His only begotten son?
"'Tis So Sweet To Trust In
Jesus"
Words written by: Louisa M. R. Stead -
1882
Louisa Stead (1850 - 1917), her husband, and their
four-year-old
daughter Lily went to enjoy a sunny day on the beach on Long
Island Sound. While they were having their picnic lunch, they
suddenly heard cries of help and spotted a drowning boy in the
sea. Mr. Stead rushed to rescue the boy but, as so often happens,
the struggling and terrified child pulled his rescuer under the
water with him. Both drowned as his horrified wife and daughter
watched helplessly.
Louisa Stead struggled with the question of why her husband, who
with her was committed to serving Christ, should lose his life in
such a tragedy, leaving her and her daughter bereft and all of the
promise of his life lost. She surrendered her doubts and despair
and, in this dark hour of her life, composed the words that have
been a comfort to many in times of stress and loss:
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word,
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, 'Thus saith the Lord.'
Jesus, Jesus, How I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
In the tragic drowning of
her husband, a young wife and mother
affirmed through her tears that there is comfort and grace in
Christ. Louisa Stead, soon after the tragedy, went with her
daughter to serve faithfully for twenty-five years as a missionary
in South Africa and Southern Rhodesia. Her missionary
comrades in Southern Rhodesia wrote this tribute after her
death: "Her influence goes on as our five thousand native
Christians continually sing her hymn in their native language."
~"Songs in the Night" by Henry Gariepy
c 1996 Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.
255 Jefferson Ave., S. E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
I ask you dear friend,
is your ship Heaven bound?
I wouldn't miss that grand homecoming
'for the world!'
*All Scripture on this site is from
The King James Holy Bible |
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"Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and not be afraid:
for the Lord JEHOVAH is my
strength and my song;
he also is become my salvation."
~ Isaiah 12:2* |
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