Not Almost, but Home...
"Going Home, I'm Going Home. There's nothing to hold me here. I've caught a glimpse, of that heavenly land, and now I'm going home"
As Christians we live with contradictions in many things of life. We're a part of this world every day, but we're to be separate and not a PART of the world. It's really the same concept (at least for me) with death and "going home". We talk about it, sing about it, long for it, pray for it and (hopefully) plan for it. But to actually "go home" means we leave this world for a much better place....but still leave this world and all those that mean so much to us.
It's true that there's nothing that can compare with being in the presence of God. Nothing can come close to being there and being a part of a Heavenly parade. But to do that we have to miss so much on this side of life. We maybe won't see our kids fully grown, or see grandchildren being born and growing up. Maybe we have to be apart from friends and family that we enjoy...or the hardest be away from the one we love most on this earth. In any case....it creates a conflict between longing to be there and wanting to be here. I have to admit that the older I get (I just turned 30-13) the more "homesick" I become. It's not a morbid thing at all, it's more a realization that the things of this life are SO temporary and the things that are to come are so real. But I still can't imagine not being around to see Josh, Paige and Miranda grow up to be the people they will be. I don't want to miss graduations, weddings, (long from now) grand kids; but the draw of heaven and being with the Lord gets bigger all the time. I can't be away from my wife for hours without missing her so much it hurts, but to be absent from the body...is to be with the Lord. It's a conflict...and one that we'll really never reconcile on this side.
This morning one of the worlds most talented people conquered his conflict. Roger Bennett was an incredible singer, pianist, songwriter and minister that I have enjoyed for many years. From his days with the Cathedrals to more recently Legacy 5, he has blessed me more times than I can say. Roger has battled cancer for years and through all the heartaches maintained a focus on ministering to others and putting their needs before his. Roger passed away with his wife at his side...and stepped into the promise he's lived for all these years. While it's not fair to wish he were still here...and not there...it's sad to see such a good person gone. It's tough to think about his family...his wife, kids...his dad, being without him. But he's home. He's made it...he's playing piano for the King...probably pickin on George and Glen...and likely sharing stories with Anthony. It's a conflict...I feel for his family, but am envious of him. It's a conflict we all have to deal with...it's a conflict that we'll really only resolve when we wake up, to sleep no more.
Pray for his family and friends, and be thankful that his struggle is over.
As Christians we live with contradictions in many things of life. We're a part of this world every day, but we're to be separate and not a PART of the world. It's really the same concept (at least for me) with death and "going home". We talk about it, sing about it, long for it, pray for it and (hopefully) plan for it. But to actually "go home" means we leave this world for a much better place....but still leave this world and all those that mean so much to us.
It's true that there's nothing that can compare with being in the presence of God. Nothing can come close to being there and being a part of a Heavenly parade. But to do that we have to miss so much on this side of life. We maybe won't see our kids fully grown, or see grandchildren being born and growing up. Maybe we have to be apart from friends and family that we enjoy...or the hardest be away from the one we love most on this earth. In any case....it creates a conflict between longing to be there and wanting to be here. I have to admit that the older I get (I just turned 30-13) the more "homesick" I become. It's not a morbid thing at all, it's more a realization that the things of this life are SO temporary and the things that are to come are so real. But I still can't imagine not being around to see Josh, Paige and Miranda grow up to be the people they will be. I don't want to miss graduations, weddings, (long from now) grand kids; but the draw of heaven and being with the Lord gets bigger all the time. I can't be away from my wife for hours without missing her so much it hurts, but to be absent from the body...is to be with the Lord. It's a conflict...and one that we'll really never reconcile on this side.
This morning one of the worlds most talented people conquered his conflict. Roger Bennett was an incredible singer, pianist, songwriter and minister that I have enjoyed for many years. From his days with the Cathedrals to more recently Legacy 5, he has blessed me more times than I can say. Roger has battled cancer for years and through all the heartaches maintained a focus on ministering to others and putting their needs before his. Roger passed away with his wife at his side...and stepped into the promise he's lived for all these years. While it's not fair to wish he were still here...and not there...it's sad to see such a good person gone. It's tough to think about his family...his wife, kids...his dad, being without him. But he's home. He's made it...he's playing piano for the King...probably pickin on George and Glen...and likely sharing stories with Anthony. It's a conflict...I feel for his family, but am envious of him. It's a conflict we all have to deal with...it's a conflict that we'll really only resolve when we wake up, to sleep no more.
Pray for his family and friends, and be thankful that his struggle is over.