The Journey Home

Going home…

As a child, I used to spend a couple of weeks during the summer at my grandparents’ farm, visiting with them, my aunts, uncles and cousins. I would miss my parents even as they pulled out of the long gravel driveway…and when they returned to pick me up at the end of my visit, I would miss my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, as the my dad’s car pulled away again…this time with me in it.

It was a long two weeks. But it was so short! I never gave it much thought at the time, but there would come a day when those visits would end. The dust would settle on that long gravel driveway for the last time. My aunts, uncles and cousins still live nearby that old farmhouse…but my grandparents have long made the journey home.

As I recall, my grandpa was the first person that I have any real recollection of, concerning leaving this world for the next. Since then, there have been many. Each left in his or her own way. Each left many things and many people behind. Each was a surprise, whether it was “expected” or not. And, of course, each left an empty hole behind that can never be filled by another…

Recently, my oldest son experienced the sorrow of having a dear friend go home. For me, it’s harder to watch others experience and deal with this journey, than it is to deal with it myself, though neither is particularly pleasant. Today, I learned that the wife of a close friend of mine, also made that same journey. My friend’s wife, like my son’s friend, embarked on this journey at an early age.

Reflecting on some of these things, I recall some that have left us before they were even born…and I recall others who lived a long and fruitful life according to man’s standards. And there have been many in between. Each with a different impact on different lives.

Death has been a part of life since the fall in the garden. From the moment of conception in the womb, we face that journey. Some will make it sooner, some later. But once conceived, even as we grow and mature, we are headed, step by step, for the journey home. Each breath, each heartbeat takes us closer still. Ironically, for each birth certificate we issue, we also, unwittingly, create a tombstone.

What we don’t often realize…and sometimes it’s hard to keep in mind from this side of things…is that what we call “death”, God calls “a new birth”. It’s also ironic, that this journey we call “death”, is simply a driveway that leads from this life of filthy rags (Is. 64:6) to an eternal life in a glorified, immortal body without spot or blemish…to rest in the presence of our Father forever. Without this “death”…we can’t experience true Life.

The driveway that leads us home is a little different from the gravel driveway that led to my grandparents’ house. For one thing, there’s no dust or gravel on it. It’s clear as crystal. Made of gold so pure it’s transparent (Rev. 21:21).

If you were to take the driveway that leads to my grandparents’ house today, I’m pretty sure you’d find some rusty farm tools scattered around various barns and sheds. But at the end of this other driveway…this golden driveway…the one that leads home…you will find a place where “rust and moth do not destroy” (Matt. 6:20).

If you were to take the driveway to my grandparents’ house…you would drive it alone and simply follow the winding road until you get to the house. But when you take this other driveway…the one that leads home…you will be escorted by angels into the presence of Jesus (Luke 16:22).

In fact, I believe this driveway of pure gold will be lined with angels…and loved ones from this “life” who have made the journey before us. And I believe that each one will be grinning from ear to ear, whistling, cheering and welcoming us home in a way that we’ve never experienced before…

And I believe that while we are “still a long way off”…our Father, who is waiting for our arrival, will see us…and take off running as fast as He can…throw His arms around us and smother us with kisses (Luke 15:20). I believe He will call to His servants to “bring the best robe” and put it on us…that He will put sandals on our feet (Luke 15:22)…that He will prepare a feast to celebrate (Luke 15:23).

He will not give us the chance to beg forgiveness and will ignore our confessions of sins (Luke 15:21)…because forgiveness has already been given, and the confessions made when we accepted Jesus as our Savior. He has already put our sins as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12) and He remembers them no more (Heb. 10:17). And that soon…soon, even we will forget what we once were…

Another difference between this golden driveway and the gravel road I took as a child…I always had to say good-bye when I was dropped off…and I always had to say good-bye when I was picked up. Here, in this life, there are always good-byes. And we never know which one may be the last we speak to someone. But when we get home, one of the greatest gifts we will receive, will be the gift of no more good-byes. No more. Ever.

The last good-bye we will speak will be to a world of filthy rags. Sadly, most of us will leave people behind that we love dearly…but it’s temporary. Soon, they will join us at home. With no more good-byes. They, too, will experience the angels lining both sides of the golden driveway. They, too, will see the Father running to greet them, arms wide open, calling for the best robe…
And you and I will be there. We’ll be among those lining the street as the angels escort them into the presence of God! We’ll be at the party! We will get to watch as the Father tenderly places the robe around their shoulders and slips the sandals on their feet…and we’ll always be there. All of us. With no more good-byes. Home at last…

It’s hard, sometimes, to remember that this life is a gift from God, when it’s so full of trials, failures and burdens. It’s hard, sometimes, to remember that we are “aliens and strangers in the world” (1 Pet. 2:11)…that this world is not our home. That we are just visiting here…

But hard to remember or not, it’s still true. This simply is our “womb” where we are being prepared for Life…

I love the way Paul put it:

“For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” (2 Cor. 5:4)

Think about what he’s saying! We groan and are burdened because we wish to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling…so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life! “Death” is simply “being swallowed up by life”! Have you ever thought about this? Being swallowed up by life? WOW!!!

Maybe that’s why the wisest man who ever lived made this statement:

“A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.” (Eccl. 7:1)

Or maybe he said it because he knew that it’s better to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8)

We forget that…

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Phil. 3:20,21)

We’re not LEAVING home when we make that final journey…we’re GOING home! FINALLY! We’re GOING home! We’re leaving filthy rags! Never to say good-bye again!
We forget. We forget because it hurts. We forget because we love those who make the journey before us and we’ll miss the blessings they were…the blessings they gave us. The huge role they played in our earthly life. We forget because…we’re selfish. We don’t want them to go. We want them here with us.

The shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35.

“Jesus wept.”

Why did Jesus weep? Lazarus, whom Jesus loved had died. There are those who believe Jesus wept because Lazarus had died. That makes no sense to me, because Jesus already knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Others say he wept because of the grieving of Mary and Martha. Maybe. But again, he knew he was going to raise Lazarus and the tears would turn to joy…

Still others think Jesus wept because of the accusing way Mary spoke to him…or because of the lack of faith they may have expressed in that moment. But I think there’s another reason.

I believe Jesus wept because he knew where Lazarus was. He was in the presence of the saints that were gathered at Abraham’s bosom. He was at rest…a rest of glory beyond any glory this world had to offer. And I believe Jesus wept because he was about to take Lazarus away from this paradise…and bring him back to these filthy rags.

It was something that Jesus had to do in order to fulfill the will of the Father…but it was something that I believe he didn’t especially care to do…and I believe that doing it was something that weighed heavy on his heart…

I miss a lot of people that have taken that journey. I will be overwhelmed to see them again, I’m sure. I wish they were here…but I’m so glad they’re not. Knowing where they are, I’m not sure I could be as obedient as Jesus was if I was called upon to bring someone back to “life”…not to these filthy rags…

The journey home. Help us to remember, Lord, that we are the ones who are absent. Not those who have made the journey. Help us to remember that some day soon, we’ll all be home. No more good-byes. Ever.

Help us, Lord, to remember that this journey we call “death” is not death at all…but it’s being swallowed up by Life…

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Lord, thank you, that we shall never die…but that we shall be swallowed up by your eternal life…and that we will dwell there…in Life…in your presence…for all eternity.

Your humble, and most unworthy servant…
The filthy rag

Was Jesus Real?

At the risk of opening up a giant-sized can of worms, I’d like to take a moment to share with you why I, personally, have chosen Christianity as my particular faith. I have to say upfront, that I detest the word “religion” when it comes to sharing my beliefs, because religion, in my eyes, is nothing but a set of ceremonies, traditions, rules and regulations that are forced upon those who practice whichever “religion” they choose. Therefore, I will share with you my faith, as opposed to my “religion”.

From a strictly human standpoint, one reason that I choose Christianity is this: Of all the “religions” in the world that I am aware of, only one has offered me salvation in spite of my weaknesses. All others require that I behave a certain way or follow certain rules that can’t be followed by the ordinary human being. Heck, most of us can’t stick to something as simple as a diet, for crying out loud! How can we possibly follow all the rules of religion…IF we can even remember them all??

Jesus tells me that all I have to do to receive salvation from him, is to believe in who he is and what he’s done for me. That, I can do…even if I can’t always follow all the rules! I don’t have to change who I am to follow him, which is good, because I can’t change me! But I CAN allow HIM to change me into what he will have me become! And I often find, to my surprise, that I don’t generally know I’ve even been changed, until I look back at what I was and compare it to what I am…

Reason #2: I don’t have to follow any traditions or perform any rituals or ceremonies I don’t understand in order to be accepted. He takes me just as I am. I don’t have to dress up. I don’t have to fall on my knees and recite man-made sayings that will usher me into my place in heaven. I can just be me. I can talk to him when I like, where I like, how I like. I don’t have to use fancy words I don’t know the meanings of. I don’t have to be in a special sanctuary. I don’t have to wait til a certain time of day. Anywhere, anytime, under any circumstances. He’s always there.

Reason #3: Most, if not all, of the other “religions” of the world offer a safety net type deal. If you don’t make it to heaven, then you don’t necessarily go to hell either. You can go someplace where you can “work your way” back into your heavenly spot. If I wasn’t good enough to get in the first time, why the heck would I think I could be good enough to work my way BACK in?? With Jesus, I don’t have to “work”. He’s already done all that needed to be done. All I have to do is accept it. And no, it doesn’t seem fair that I’m rewarded for what he did. But then, I’m not the one that came up with the Christian idea of salvation. Thankfully, all I have to do is take it or leave it!

Reason #4: Of all the religions in the world, there is only one that faces persecution. There’s only one that is ridiculed. There’s only one that has been banned in some countries. One that folks would like to ban in other countries. One that grows stronger in the face of the obstacles that are thrown against it. You can talk about witchcraft, Buddah, the Koran and astrology in school. But mention Jesus or take a Bible…(and this is in a country that “practices religious freedom”)! In light of all this, it seems that there is only one faith the devil is trying to stop…Christianity. If he’s so focused on this one that he has no time or need to deal with the others, then I would say there’s something suspicious in that. Like maybe, Christianity is the one that defeated him??

Reason #5: This is the one that leaves me speechless! (I know, hard to believe, huh?) Of all the religions that ever have been…of all the different people those religions hold up for me to worship…(and keep in mind, these are “religious” people!)…only ONE…that’s right…only ONE…has ever offered to take my sins upon himself and be punished in my place, so that I wouldn’t have to face the wrath and judgment of a wrathful God. Only one. In spite of who I am. That one is Jesus. Not to mention the fact that he’s the only one that’s ever been resurrected!  :0)

Who would you choose?

From a Biblical perspective, I’ve seen the promises come true! I’ve seen people healed…sometimes at my very fingertips. I’ve seen people changed. I, myself have been changed. I’m still being changed. I’ve seen the mysterious hand of God on people, in people, in the very atmosphere that we suck in and blow out! I’ve seen, with my own eyes, just a tiny fraction of what God can do! It’s the only one that makes sense to me. You may have another that makes sense to you, and if so, that’s fine. I’m just sharing with you why I made the choice that I made. There are no rules, regulations, ceremonies, traditions, or rituals to follow. Only a Man. The Man. Jesus. That’s all I have to do. It’s so much easier than trying to be something I’m not, or something I can’t be. And that’s why…

“…if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

It’s not forced on any of us. It’s a choice. Choose wisely, my friend…

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