No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. 4 And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads.5 And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:3-5 (NLT)
In this life, I have been blessed with some wonderful people who have left footprints on my soul. By that I mean they made an impression on my life that has changed the course of my life. They have taught me, sometimes in words but often I was taught by being a witness to their life.
I was taught the LORD’s meaning of grace as they poured out love on others without fanfare or any recognition or payback.
I was shown a true to life reenactment of Christ’s mercy as they forgave another and freed themselves from the destructive intent of unforgiveness and bitterness.
I learned what it meant to be a servant of God as they put aside their own agendas for visible success and instead chose to be invisible and forgettable as they gave of their time and talents in God’s vineyard.
I learned how to reach out and plug into the Holy Spirit for His courage to live in the face of life-threatening illness and face death as already defeated while taking a last breath in this life.
He [Jesus] replied,“The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. Acts 1:7 (NLT)
I do not know the day or time when Jesus will return to bring God’s children home any more than I know whether He will call me home before He comes back. But like those who have taught me so much and gone to their promised reward, I have also learned from their perspective that death is not the ultimate ending but instead the most glorious beginning! The opening of the door into eternal life is the fulfillment of the greatest gift of God’s love for me. Jesus, the Son of God, my Savior and prefect Redeemer chose to lay down His life so that I might live.
My tears at the departure of those I love are tears for my own mortal grief at our separation. They do not weep for they are finally headed home. Home means they will never again be separated from their Creator and Father. They make that journey, not reluctantly, but fly away on the wings of God’s glory. “Weep not for me, Jody. I am headed home.”
I’ll Fly Away written by Albert E Brumley (1929) & sung by The Preservation Hall Jazz Band & The Del McCoury Band
