|
|
| |
We all have dark days and lonely stretches as we travel the road of life but God, in His mercy, does not leave us to despair. He longs to encourage us and lift us up out of our distress, bringing us through the trials we must endure. He knows the trials are for our good, designed to purify us from our attachment to this world and the deceitful pleasures of sin.
Recently a friend shared an inspirational CD with me. As I was listening to one of the songs, something unexpected took place. There was no eloquent singer’s voice, and no exciting rhythms, but when the song’s melody shifted and the music changed, something unbelievable took place. I can’t describe what transpired at that moment but, in my mind’s eye, a picture began to form. As music of sublime eloquence flooded over me in awesome splendor, a scene was passing before my mind.
I saw a picture of God’s faithful servants going through their last great struggle before entering the city of God. Traveling on a narrow path there is only total darkness behind them. Ahead, a glorious light streams from a city whose gates stand ajar. Some are on their knees, barely hanging on, struggling with every ounce of strength they can muster to pull themselves forward and take the last few paces to safety. Worn, weary and distressed by the journey, some are nearly ready to give up. But, just ahead are holy angels, reaching with outstretched arms, calling, pleading and encouraging them on. As I beheld this in my mind, tears filled my eyes and I could almost hear their compassionate voices calling, “Don’t give up; you’re almost home. The victory is almost won.”
Friends, we are on that journey. Sometimes it seems like it will never end. The road is too difficult, the way too rough and the path too steep. At times, it appears there is no hope and we will never reach our journey’s end. But, if our eyes could be opened we, too, would see a myriad of holy angels surrounding us, strengthening and encouraging us to hang on a little longer, the race is almost done.
I truly believe we will only make it to that city “whose builder and maker is God,” (Hebrews 11:10) if we are not holding on to one shred of this world. Not in our hearts, not in our homes, not in anything we have or possess. It will cost us everything to make it there. Jesus paid the highest cost that Heaven could offer to save us. He who was Ruler and Creator of all, one with His Father, who “…did not count heaven a place to be desired while we were lost,” (The Desire of Ages, page 416) sacrificed all for us.
If you have the desire to be made new, the music that inspired me that day can change your life too. The words, simple though amazingly profound, are just this, “I have decided to follow Jesus.” One of the verses says, “the world behind me, the cross before me, no turning back, no turning back.” Are you ready to take up your cross and follow the One who died on a cross to save you? If you’re still hanging on to some cherished or coveted treasure that will soon pass away, I plead with you now to let it go. Nothing here can ever replace the joy and eternal bliss the saved will have once we are there.
As one author so forcefully stated it, we have “…heaven to gain, a crown to win, and immortal honors to possess.” Jesus stands at the right hand of His Father calling us home. Will you heed the call? We’re almost home.
|
|
|
|
|
Mobile
