I heard a story recently from 1904. Due to age and health problems, a 75 year old missionary was being sent home to America from Africa. He was booked on the same ocean liner as President Theodore Roosevelt returning from an African safari. As the ship pulled into New York harbor, it seemed the whole world had turned out to greet the President. Bands were playing and flags were flying and a thunderous roar was heard as the President walked down the gang plank. There was no one to welcome the old missionary. He said that his spirit was complaining as he tried to flag down a taxi, “Lord, the President comes home to a tremendous welcome after three weeks of killing animals and I come home to be welcomed by no one after 25 years serving you in Africa.” Then he said he heard the still small voice of God answer, “My son, you are not home yet.”
Scripture warns us not to make this world our home. Several of my favorite Gospel songs echo that sentiment as well. Kind of like that old missionary, we are on assignment by God here on earth until He calls us to come home to be with Him. Each of us is an original with unique gifts and mission and Jesus has gone ahead of us to prepare a place for us when our tour of duty is over and we go home to be with Him forever. That will be a celebration like none we have experienced or even imagined.
I was so anxious to get back to my townhome from the nursing home that tried to trap me into spending the rest of my life there and I know it was God who made it possible for me. I had my Christian brothers and sisters and my caregivers to greet and care for me. But as comfortable as I have been since I got back here, I know I’m still not home yet. “Home where there is no night. Home where the Son is the light; the place I have dreamed of for so long. Loved ones there to welcome me, but His sweet face will be the first I see. When my journey’s over I am going home.”