Courage for the Journey

I booked a plane ticket back to Australia recently and within 12 hours my itinerary had been emailed to my account. Carefully I checked through the details, ensuring that my departure and arrival dates corresponded with what I had requested. Fortunately they did and I was relieved. At the bottom of the page the airline had summarised the total distance and duration of my journey and I gasped when I read it. Reality struck when I realised that there was 10,939 miles between me and home and it was going to take over 31 hours to get there. My weary spirit drooped. Quickly I refocused my attention on the joy of reaching my destination, rather that the difficulties I may encounter along the way and it made all the difference. That didn’t alter the fact that I`d still have to change planes twice, spend many hours waiting in foreign airports and be weary from the journey. None of this was likely to change but by refocusing on the goal (home ) I knew that the hardships of the journey would be worth it.

Though planet earth is where I am resident right now, it is not really my home. If you are a Christian, then it’s not your home either. We are all pilgrims or sojourners in a foreign land, and earth is not our final destination. Jesus has been preparing a heavenly home for us, that is more wonderful than anything we could ever imagine or experience here on earth. He has given us a glimpse of what heaven is like in Scripture. Can you visualise the golden streets, the River of Life and the amazing sound that fills the throne room of God as people from every tribe, tongue and nation worship Him? Can you imagine a place that has no sorrow, nor mourning, nor tears, nor death, nor pain? (Revelation 7:16-17 & 21: 4 ) The things that hurt and trip us up here on earth will not be able to touch us in heaven.

In heaven there will be joyous reunions as we meet up with family and friends and wonderful discoveries to be made. At long last we will be able to see Jesus face to face. I suspect that when that day comes, we will soon forget about all the difficulties of our earthly journey. They will fade into insignificance when we gaze upon His nail pierced hands and drink in the wonders of heavens. We will be overjoyed to finally be home and hearing the reassuring words, `Well done good and faithful servant` (Matthew 25:21).

Let this be the hope that propels you forward today and gives you the courage to finish your earthly journey well.

Prayer: Father God, thank You that You have a heavenly home prepared for us and that one day you`ll call each of us there to be with You. Until that day would You continue to shower us with grace and courage to continue our pilgrimage on earth. We love You and want to be faithful children. Amen.