“If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.” Romans 14:8-9
An acquaintance passed away recently and he and I had attended the same Bible class for a number of years while I worked in the Panhandle of NE. Ed had a wonderful memory for Scriptures and could generally provide a verse that fit perfectly into our small group discussions. It seemed to me that he must have memorized the Book of Romans and I imagine that after hugging Jesus upon his arrival he headed over to the Apostle Paul’s mansion and spent time catching up with his hero.
Just as Ed lived by the above verses from Romans, you and I and the young children in the attached photo belong to the Lord. You, Ed and I may not resemble these boys from Gonaives, but you have to look inside and forget about the wrapper that we wear. What and where we are living today is temporary, not our permanent home. Where we are headed is important and we need to stay focused on that direction and take as many with us to Heaven as we can possibly bring.
I read a statement recently that asked why is a car’s windshield is so large and the rear-view mirror so small? It is because our past is not as important as our future; we need to continually look ahead, stay focused on the future and move on toward that goal. Ed is walking with King Jesus today; soon you, me and these Haitian children will also leave this dusty earth and enjoy our permanent home in Heaven. A song recently played on the computer radio, “King Jesus” by the Oak Ridge Boys. One day we will be there with King Jesus enjoying the peace that is unimaginable.
“All the armies of the world will someday gather and they'll pass before the great reviewing stand. And they'll beat their swords and weapons into plowshares and the Prince of Peace shall give the last command. When King Jesus comes to live with us again He will show His righteous love to every man. Wars and strife will all be passed there'll be peace on earth at last when King Jesus comes to live with us again. Un-obscured the sun will drive away the shadows at the dawning of that great eternal day and there'll be no sounds of crying in the ghetto for all grief and pain and death shall pass away. When King Jesus comes to live with us again He will show His righteous love to every man. Wars and strife will all be passed there'll be peace on earth at last when King Jesus comes to live with us again.”
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay