Home and Safe

After traveling the better part of four weeks, driving a little over 4,000 miles, passing through more than a dozen states, enduring several cheap hotels, eating far too much fast food, paying ridiculously high gas prices, breaking down in the middle-of-nowhere and buying a new radiator – we made it home. Now, less I make the trip sound insufferable, it wasn’t. Not at all. While I realize some people just love to travel, I prefer being there (wherever there is), far more than getting there. Nonetheless, even the many hours in the car were a blessing. My wife and I talked a lot on the road, which was great. Sadly, with our conflicting schedules we don’t communicate as much anymore. It was good to know we still know how. Yet more than anything, and the primary purpose of our long journey, was for us to enjoy some time with friends and family that we don’t get to see nearly often enough. Thankfully, we were blessed to do so, though the visits were far too brief. Yet seeing our loved ones made every mile worthwhile.

To get you caught up, in my last article (printed about a month ago) I stated that the fine folks at Memorial Heights Baptist Church had granted their pastor an extended vacation. The last couple years of pastoral ministry have been grueling, for any number of reasons, and I needed a break. Thankfully, the church understood that and was very supportive in giving us a sabbath (or rest). So, I preached the first Sunday in June, and following services my wife and I got in the car and stayed gone for nearly the rest of the month. In over 23 years of preaching, and 14 years of pastoring, I have never been away from home or my home church for so long. Don’t know if we’ll ever go so far and stay gone so long again? Now, don’t get me wrong, the time off and the time spent with family was priceless, but needless to say, we were glad to see that Georgia state line and especially the Perry exit off I-75. Vacationing is great, but nothing beats the feeling of getting back home. At least that’s how we feel.

I am sure you would you agree that vacations are wonderful? Isn’t it great to see new sites and travel to different places? Of course it is. We all like checking something else off our bucket list. Furthermore, taking time off is important for a family. Rest is also good medicine for the body, mind and soul. Everyone needs to step away from the business of life and unplug from time to time. Yet, having said all that … there is no place like home. More than that, after a long journey, what a relief it is to make it home and safe. Though I (obviously) can’t hear you, or read your mind – I am somewhat sure you are saying, Amen. Or something like it.

Absolutely, family trips and long vacations are a joy and a blessing. Yet, there is something wonderful about turning down your own driveway, sleeping in your own bed and just being home and safe. Given the many miles we drove, the absurdly aggressive way some people behave behind the steering wheel and the shockingly large number of fatalities on our highways and interstates each year, getting home safe was indeed an answer to prayer.

Yes, there were some inconveniences along the way, particularly when the car broke down. And “maybe” I grew impatient at times after spending way, way too long sitting in a vehicle, but through it all, the Lord was good to us and we made it there and back again.

From this recent experience, I think a spiritual lesson can be learned. In a sense, our long trip is symbolic of the Christian life. If you are a follower of Christ, let me remind you, this world is not your home. Rather, as the old gospel song says, “we are just passing through.” Friends as much as we may want it to be, life is not some perpetual vacation; it is a journey. For the born-again believer, our time here on earth is a voyage from this temporary dwelling place to our eternal home. Yes, there will be some bumps and bruises along the way. Yes, we will grow impatient as things don’t go as smoothly as we want. And yes, our time here is limited – just like any vacation.

But thankfully, there is a heavenly home where time doesn’t exist. There in that glorious place Jesus has gone to prepare for His children, we will be home and safe forevermore. No more pain, no more sorrow and no more separation from our saved loved ones. I don’t know what all may befall us on this journey, but I know this – every one of God’s children are going to make it home and safe!

Once a man told me, “I don’t believe anyone can really know if they’re going to heaven.” To which I replied; “sir, you may not know, but I know.” Now, that may sound boastful, but I am not speaking from a place of self-righteous arrogance, but instead confidence in Scripture. Philippians 1:6 reads, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Friends, if the Holy Spirit has begun a sanctifying work in you, then nothing and no one will interfere with Him finishing what He started. God doesn’t do anything halfway.

There was no assurance we would safely make it back from Maine, or Vermont, or North Carolina or even north Georgia. But this much is a certainty, because of the finished work of Jesus Christ – I am going to make it to my heavenly home, safe and sound. What about you?

There is no guarantee that any of us will make it home from work today. Or back safe from the grocery store, but you can be certain that come what may, your eternal home in God’s presence is sure. You can be certain that you are going to heaven by placing your faith in the finished work of Christ alone.

I close with these verses; Romans 8 35,38,39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Through Christ, and Christ alone, you can make it to that eternal home and be endlessly safe in the loving arms of Jesus.

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