Tuesday's Thoughts

Hebrews 11:13-16, "“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴ For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. ¹⁵ And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (NKJV)

Yesterday I was given the opportunity to serve a family that was facing a very difficult situation. I have know this family far over 40 years. The gentleman had suffered a major brain aneurysm early on Monday morning. I spent several hours with this family as they made the decision to remove the ventilator and allow God to work His plan for this dear brother in Christ. This man and his wife have served in ministry for all of the years that I have known them. Their service has been one of faithfulness to the call from Christ to give of themselves to others.

Hebrews chapter 11 came to my mind as I was driving home last night after his passing. I believe that He is rejoicing in the presence of God as I sit at my desk and type these words. I read Hebrews 11 this morning to remind myself of the "truth" that is revealed in this portion of the epistle. Numerous times the words "by faith" are used to characterize the life of individuals who are mentioned in this passage. But the writer (I believe the writer is the Apostle Paul) reminds us that there were many other individuals whose names did not appear in this passage yet their service to God and their faith was as real as those individuals who were placed on the list. But there was one common trait among them all, "These all died in faith..." They were "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" but they were desiring "a heavenly country."

I immediately thought of this faithful brother whose body was left in the hospital room awaiting his trip to the funeral home. Yet his soul had made that final trip to that "heavenly county" which he had been looking for throughout his lifetime. He served without much fanfare or notoriety. He was unknown in the eyes of the world yet very much known in the heavenly country. Jesus reminded us that He went away to prepare for us a place where we could be with Him forever. 

I could say much more but I want to leave you with this thought. You may be serving God without much fanfare or notoriety, You may be unknown to the world but very well known in Heaven as a person with a heart of servanthood. You may be serving a small church congregation.You may teach a Sunday School class, or a Children's Church Class. You may be working in the Nursery. You may serve as a Custodian or you may mow the grass at the church or for your sick neighbor. Remember the giving and sharing of Cornelius was recognized and remembered in Heaven. Just remember that you are remembered in Heaven and that you and me are just pilgrims and strangers looking for a city whose builder and maker is God!!

Just keep SERVING GOD AND SERVING OTHERS!! YOU ARE NOT HOME YET!!!