bits from bob....

Not Home Yet

by Robert J. Young
©, 2001, Robert J. Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]

Many years ago, a ship pulled into New York Harbor. Brass bands and crowds of people were on hand to welcome Teddy Roosevelt back from an African hunting expedition. Unnoticed by the cheering mobs, a missionary and his wife disembarked from the same ship, returning after many years of sacrificial labor. No one was there to welcome the weary missionary couple. They walked in loneliness to a cheap hotel.

The contrast seemed to gnaw at the missionary's heart. That night he began to pray about his bitterness and discouragement, "Lord, it just isn't right. A big parade to greet that politician, but no one to welcome us--servants of God. Lord, no one seems to care. We've worked so hard for Thee all our lives, and then when we come home...."

God seemed to interrupt him, "But you are not home yet!"

God's children should not tie themselves too closely to this world (Col. 3:1-4). We are to be in the world but not of the world. We need to recognize that we are but strangers and pilgrims, sojourning here for a brief moment. While we serve him gladly the time we're here, we are always aware that our real home is elsewhere. One person memorably remarked, "Some Christians are so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good." Our task is to live on this earth as Kingdom people. Don't forget--we are just pilgrims here.


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Last updated December 2, 2001.