Some years ago I read the story of an old missionary couple who had been working in Africa for many years and were returning to New York City to retire. With no pension and broken in health, they were discouraged and fearful of the future.
They happened to be booked on the same ship as Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from a big-game hunting expedition. At the dock in New York a band was waiting to greet the President, and while they did, the missionary couple slipped off the ship unnoticed.
That night, in a cheap room they had found on the east side, the man’s spirit broke. He said to his wife, “I can’t take this; God is not treating us fairly.” His wife suggested he go into the bedroom and tell the Lord.
A short time later he came out of the bedroom with a face completely changed. His wife asked, “Dear, what happened?” He responded by stating, “The Lord settled it with me. I told Him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said, ‘But you’re not home yet!’”
May this little story encourage some of us weary saints in ministry who may sometimes feel that life is unfair. We faithfully labor for the Lord and so often it just seems to go unnoticed. Well, my friend, “You’re not home yet!”
As the songwriter has said, “Are you weary, are you heavy-hearted? Are you grieving over joys departed? Do you fear the gath’ring clouds of sorrow? Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?” Well, tell it to Jesus, and remember, “You’re not home yet!”
Another songwriter put it this way when he wrote, “Run the straight race thro’ God’s good grace, lift up thine eyes, and seek His face; Life with its way before us lies, Christ is the path, and Christ the prize!” We are just pilgrims journeying to a sacred place based on a hope and a trust…..”You’re not home yet!”
“There remains a rest to the people of God…let us labor therefore to enter into that rest” (Hebrews 4:9, 11). May just knowing that “We’re not home yet” encourage us to keep laboring until we do get home! Amen?
In Jesus’ name – press on! Hold His Banner high,
Stand strong against the ways of sin, your God – do glorify!
In Jesus’ Name – press on! Cling firmly to His Word;
It will keep you centered in His will; just remember what you’ve heard!
In Jesus’ Name – press on! The battle can be won;
And when you see Him face to face, you’ll hear Him say, “Well done.” -MHB
Philippians 3:14
“I press toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”