Homecoming

What weighs on you this morning? What care or concern is clouding your thoughts of the great and good that is ours through Christ Jesus? If you are like most people, it can be the ache of a lost loved one, the illness of a family member or friend. Perhaps, the struggle of finances or the lack of clarity in your present circumstances regarding a job is nipping at your peace. If you are a parent, concern for the well being and upbringing of your children can pin you to the sheets with fear. These real issues fight for our attention and if the devil has his way, they steal our attention from the power and might of God. Thus many live broken and weak in the shadow of the cross. Rather than victoriously in the strength of the Son.

For this did Jesus come to live and die? Was our God desiring to set aside His glorious purity and might that we may suffer under the heaviness of doubt and fear! We know in our heads that Christ gave His all, suffered and died to give us all of heaven. How then do we engage our hearts and rise above the temporal pains of life and live mindful of the eternal, heaven bound beings we have become through redemption?

How does man survive the war and wrath of Satan and the curse of sin?

As I slowly descended to the baggage claim, I noticed their signs. “Welcome home Jason!” “We are proud of you!” “We love you”. The band of loved ones and supporters eagerly looking beyond me for Jason was touching. I thought to myself, “Jason is certainly loved.” As I reached the lower floor my eyes quickly found those of my husband. I was home, safe and sound and his eyes and smile conveyed his joy over my return. While we embraced, I forgot about Jason and his homecoming crowd. I was lost in my own reunion.

A few moments later, while we were waiting at the luggage carocel, Jason’s welcoming committee roared. The children bounced up and down, the women waived their arms and every face beamed with joy. Their delight was infectious and I too became excited to spot Jason and welcome him home. Who was this Jason? Peering over the shoulders of others, I caught of glimpse of the young man as he stepped from the escalator. His close shaved head and beaming smile was all I could see. Taken with his reception my gaze lingered until the crowd parted and revealed the man. His pressed fatigues took my breath away. Jason was a soldier who by the grace of God had returned from the battle. Tears stung at the corners of my eyes as I saw a tiny glimpse of heaven. A saint welcomed into the haven of heaven with a thunderous cry of praise and joy from delighted loved ones.

There were no signs of war on Jason’s uniform; no hint of hell in his expression. Still, it is certain there are markings on his mind and scars on his heart. War is dark, gruesome and evil…much like life.

God tells us “in this world you will have trouble,” (John 16:33NIV). Why are we surprised by trials and hardship? Why do we seek paradise on cursed soil? Why are our prayers filled with selfish or shallow petitions? Why do we seek after all that will be ashes and ignore the treasures of heaven? Why do we forget or ignore the Word? Are we not better off donning our fatigues, picking up our spiritual weapon—God’s word and prayer—and engaging in this war in the power of Christ?

The cost of our denial and disobedience is great; souls are the casualties of indifference to this holy war. As individual children of God, we will come through the battle differently. Yet, as saints in Christ we have the blessed assurance we will ALL receive a heavenly reception like Jason’s when our time on the battlefield is through.

The war is real, the wounds will certainly be painful, but freedom in Christ is worth the price. So we fight against the enemy of our God and the enemy of man for the liberty of our souls. Wearing Christ Jesus as our shield, we can move to the front line with confidence…for He has already defeated hell.

Father in heaven, Great and Mighty Lord of all, forgive us our shortsightedness, fears and desires. Reveal to us our areas of weakness, stubbornness, pride and self-will which make us vulnerable and ineffective on the battlefield. Give us strength to hold fast to you in the midst of spiritual combat. May your goodness, love and awesome power be at the forefront of our minds, that we not quake before the devil’s army. Grant us strength to endure this life in You and courage to share the hope of Jesus with others. Bless us with the peace of Christ Jesus until we ascend to heaven and into your outstretched arms; the recipients of grace and heavens welcoming roar!