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Almost Home

Heb. 11:14

For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. KJV

There is something in every person that inclines them to love of country. The familiarity of circumstance soothes. Predictability comforts the soul. The oft-heard noises in the night stroke the ruffled spirit and nudge it back to sleep. Our forbearers fought for this place. We share the heritage of a thousand barricades. We bask in the glory of ancient ramparts stormed and won. How good of God to place us here!

Still, for the Christian, there is that which whispers, “Up! Be away!”! Providence has, by loving design, sewn into the fabric of our being that we should desire another country. We seek a land where there is no night for Christ Himself is the light. The sound of a siren and the mournful mutter of the dying are forever unheard. The irreverent cacophony of crowded byways and the strident cry of contention are unknown. Goodbyes are unhurried. Reunions are assured. The constraints of time are unfelt. There are no hospitals. Our new bodies are strong and righteous. The sins that blind us to beauty are removed.

The days of our sojourn are pilgrim days- and so we must reckon them! We must not drive our roots too deeply in this land nor love our place too much! Present things will pass away. It would, therefore, be tragic were we to invest too heavily here. Our primary accounts must be elsewhere.

As we lay up treasure in that far Kingdom, we declare plainly that we are not permanent citizens of this world. We must seek no lasting earthly portion. We rightly judge ourselves recompensed too cheaply if paid entirely in the coin of this realm.

Pause now and scan the soul’s horizon. Do you begin, even now, to see there the lights of home? It is just a few more weary days and then we shall be at rest.

George Moore

Elder Emeritus