Almost Home

This past Monday I traveled to Sioux Center to pick up our oldest three granddaughters so I could bring them to Inspiration Hills where they spent a few days with Vicki. Shortly before we reached Rock Valley, I heard a little voice from the back seat asking a question I hadn’t heard in a long time. You guessed it, Noelle who is four years old asked, “Grandpa, are we almost there yet?” She was so excited to reach our destination.

I responded by letting her know we were about half way to which my seven year old granddaughter responded, “Really, Grandpa, it seems like we have been traveling only for five minutes.” Sauren then went on to explain to Noelle that the drive to Inspiration Hills would not take that long at all. For one granddaughter, the trip wasn’t going fast enough because she couldn’t wait to so see Grandma and the cabin. For the second granddaughter, the trip was going really fast. And then there was Rilyn, she was already sleeping in the front seat, oblivious to how fast the trip was or wasn’t going.

As I continued to drive, I began to reflect on our journey through life. I especially wondered why we often find it difficult to enjoy the speed at which life is going. I can remember when our kids were toddlers I couldn’t wait until they got to the age where I could play ball and do other fun things with them. Then when Jonathon went off to college and moved to Minneapolis, I remember thinking that the journey of life is going way to fast.

After a difficult conversation during our Consistory meeting about a very divisive topic that has no real easy solutions, I found myself asking, “Father are we almost there yet?” I just want this journey through the covid pandemic to be over. Like Noelle, I find part of this journey difficult to enjoy.  This part of the journey feels like Psalm 90:10, “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are sorrow and trouble, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”

And yet by the grace of God, I know this is what awaits me, from Revelation 21:3-4 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

May it not be so with you and me that we have become tired or impatient with our present journey, but rather that we keep our eyes fixed on the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross. Consider him so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I leave you the link and some the lyrics to one of my favorite songs by Mercy Me, Almost Home https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lKdHXfpsFQ

Are you disappointed? Are you desperate for help? You know what it’s like to be tired and only a shell of yourself… Well this road will be hard. But we win in the end. Simply because of Jesus in us, it’s not if, but when. So take joy in the journey, even when it feels long. Oh find strength in each step knowing heaven is cheering you on.

We are almost home brother it won’t be long. Soon all your burdens will be gone. With all of your strength, sister, run wild and free. Hold up your head keep pressing on. We are almost home…

I know that the cross has brought heaven to us. But make no mistake there’s still more to come. When our flesh and our bones are no longer between. Where we are right now and where we’re meant to be. When all that’s been lost has been made whole again. When the tears and this pain no longer exist. No more walking, we’re running as fast as we can. Consider this our second wind. Keep pressing on. We’re almost home. Almost home!

Keep pressing on,

Mike Altena

 

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