Saints, We're Going Home

Dear saints, as some of you know I have been rejoicing in the birth of my son and adjusting to a new and joyous life as a first time mama at forty years old—all glory to God. After years of infertility, I have been given a child. My little love is deeply attached, and I wouldn’t have it any other way, but this means I rarely have a moment to put a clear sentence together and I’m literally typing this right now with one hand. Furthermore, my mental capacity for in-depth studies is about ten percent, so I do not have any profound eschatological thoughts to share. But I did want to pass along three things on my heart with hope it will encourage you in these days.

1. We're on our way home. Let's bring everyone with us.

I don’t have many dreams worth sharing, but one stands out. Years ago I dreamed of a mountain. I was on a path near the top of it, and could see for miles. The air was sweet and balmy. Grasses and flowers swayed, practically shimmering with soft aliveness. No other human was visible, but the presence of God was everywhere around me and it was the most beautiful and peaceful place I had ever seen or felt. I want to weep just thinking about it. And in the dream, as I do now, I remember the urgency and longing to bring everyone with me. I wanted everyone in the whole world to come and experience the peace, the loveliness, the contentment of "at last, this. This is where I was created to belong." I woke from the dream with an almost childlike desire to tell everyone about the mountain. 

While I haven't tried to unpack every detail of the dream, I'm sharing because it is an illustration of our mission in these last days...to tell everyone of the goodness and grace of God, and try to bring everyone with us when He calls us home. Our human minds cannot fathom all God has in store for us. But look around...even in this fallen world, under the curse of sin, we are blessed by the beauty He has made. Imagine what is to come! We must pray for wisdom so we are always ready to share the gospel with a world in desperate need of hope. 

Because, isn't it good news? This world, with all the violence, division, unrest, and tragedy, is not our home. We who believe have the hope of eternal life. Last night, while rocking my son in the moonlight, I was remembering the words of Jesus who said so lovingly, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go, I will come again and receive you to Myself…” (John 14:1-4)

This is the King and Creator of the entire universe, my friends. Of the sea, the sun and stars, the springs of waters, the air we breathe, and the babies we kiss all day and night. He knows you by name. He knows the number of hairs on your head. And He is preparing a place for YOU. You have a home, eternal in the heavenlies, built for you by the Prince of Peace where rent is not due and the water pipes won’t break. There will be no riots on those streets of gold, no politics, no pain. The hand of God Himself will wipe away your tears. 

More than ever now, folks need to hear this. Whether we have one day left to live, or forty more years, we must do everything we can to share the truth with those in need, and to guard the simplicity of the gospel from those who try to distort it.  

I know times are hard right now. Perilous, treacherous. But hold fast, my friend. We’re almost there. And this is why we must...

2. Run with endurance the race set before us.

I'm wrestling with this deeply. My life has changed radically and wonderfully in the last few months, but has also brought unfamiliar struggles with the flesh. Perhaps it is amplified by a new sort of tiredness and a whole new set of potential anxieties, but I'm not running well and have cried out to the Lord for help. I keep thinking of the exhortation, "Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown," (Rev. 3:11) and fear I've lost it. I have wept and prayed over this, over my failures and struggles and sins. In my flesh I feel a weakness like never before. (Just being transparent here!) 

The apostle Paul teaches us to run so we might win the race (1 Cor. 9:24-27), but fear tells me I lost it long ago and have become disqualified and there's no hope for redemption. But most of these warnings and concerns going through my head are tinged with shame, which means they are from the enemy rather than the gentle conviction of the Holy Spirit. So instead of listening to them, I am striving to focus solely on the word of God: 

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: (Heb. 10:36)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Heb. 12:1-3)

 

I don't know what you're going through, my friend, but if you're in a similar place I want to remind you what He has reminded me: 

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.—Heb. 4:15-16

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.—2 Cor. 12:9-10

Don't give up. He is faithful. He is coming soon. Run with endurance. Look unto Him, the author and finisher of our faith. His grace is sufficient. "Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand." (Rom. 14:4) This includes us, too, my friend. So keep looking to God, and...

3. Be thankful. Pray always.

Other than sharing the gospel, this may be our most important calling: the call to prayer with thanksgiving to God. No matter what we are going through, it's something all of us can do. We can sit in traffic and pray. We can wash dishes and pray. We can nurse our babies and pray. We can lie in a hospital bed and pray. We can turn off the TV, shut down YouTube, log out of Instagram, and pray. 

As we experience what may be the hardest days of our lives, personally or historically, we can turn to the Lord in prayer and remember that He is faithful and He WILL keep His word. He works all things together for GOOD for those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). This includes everything we are seeing globally and everything we walk through privately in the dark of night. 

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Rom. 8:31-32)

I want to close with this uplifting message for my fellow sojourning saints: 

“Onward, dear Pilgrim.
There is none in the heavens, or on earth, like our God.
He is good and all His ways are good.
One foot, now the other, dear friend.
We're on our way home.” —Jess from Raising Oaks & Arrows

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Thank you for all of the comments, well-wishes and prayers! They have been humbling to read. May the Lord Jesus bless you. He is coming soon, friends. May you watch for His appearing with great joy. —Hillary

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