Fourteen years ago this month I said goodbye to a good friend. As I look around the house at my personal possessions I note the gifts that this person gave to me through the years. Hearing the news that my friend had terminal cancer was hard to receive. Even though we were separated by hundreds of miles at that time, spending time on the phone about the reality of heaven and spiritual issues was a blessing. The last time I saw my friend we knew that this was the final face-to-face meeting that we would have and having prayer together was a challenge, simply because it is so very hard to put everything into words at a moment like that. I remember as if it was yesterday turning away to head out the front door, the groan that both of us experienced within, knowing that the next time I would see my friend again would be on the shores of heaven. Heaven….what a wonderful place to look forward to. But still it was so very, very hard. We live with the reality of this present world but have our heart in another as well. And now that more and more of some very precious friends and family are there, my eyes long even more for this wonderful place. Damaris Carbaugh sings a song that I play often…one that reflects on our responsibility until the time that we can say “I’m home” in heaven. This song “We Have a Mission” helps to anchor me to what I need to do until I am home. All of us who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ need to reflect on our “mission”. It is so very easy to get caught up with things of the ‘now’ and forget that this is all so very, very temporary. And as I understand the Scriptures, the mission is anchored to my personal involvement with a local church, a group of believers that God has called to serve alongside one another. We are not called to serve alone, but alongside others in a local assembly, encouraging and challenging one another, fulfilling the mission. In fact, serving alone is inviting disaster. It isn’t God’s plan, pure and simple. My friend was ready for heaven when the last breath was taken shortly afterwards. But all around us there are people (friends, co-workers, neighbors) who aren’t going to experience heaven if their last breath is taken today. So what are YOU going to do about it? Gather together with your local church and pastor this week for encouragement, instruction, prayer and ask God to put you ‘on mission’. Not only will it bless you, but think of how your pastor’s heart will be blessed as well. Perhaps your pastor feels very alone right now and your obedience will make all the difference. - KM
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 11:05:06 +0000