Reb Rev's Blog

“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”
–              Matthew 25:21

The story is told of an old missionary who spent his entire life in the mission fields of Africa telling the story of Jesus. During those days, missionary support was meager at best and nonexistent at worse. But, struggling the best he could he stayed on the field.

In the latter years of his life, his wife died but he did not have the money to take her back to her home for burial, so he was forced to bury her in a makeshift grave near his home.

Finally, with his health, his money, and his family gone he scraped together enough for boat passage back to the States. As the boat entered the harbor, suddenly it was surrounded by fire boats spurting spray of water and tugs blowing horns.

As the boat docked, a band began playing and a crowd of people began shouting and waving their arms as a celebrity walked down the gang plank.

As he watched all this from the railing, this elderly missionary, knowing he was coming home alone, began feeling sorry for himself and began to pray something like this.

“Lord, I have given you all I have. I gave you my life, my family, my health. Now, at the end of my life, why couldn’t I be welcomed home with caring people who appreciate what my life has meant for the glory of God?”

Then, almost as if it was an audible voice, this elderly missionary felt God speaking to him saying, “Son, you aren’t Home yet!”

So often, we lose sight of the fact that we “aren’t home” yet. While in our work-a-day world, it seems “no good deed shall go unpunished,” the reality is no good deed shall go unnoticed – when it is done for the Lord.

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” – I Corinthians 13:12

Our little dachshund, Hogan, has cataracts. We’ll be going to the vet again soon, but for now his vision is cloudy due to them. As I understand it, his eyes work just fine, but his vision is impaired because the lens is clouded.

I’ve noticed he is more cautious due to his lack of vision. He doesn’t venture as far and he hesitates when he does go out. All because he can’t quite see. One day soon, the vet will take those cataracts off and Hogan will see clearly what he can now only make out as shapes and shadows.

I’ve noticed he moves with more confidence if Eileen or I go with him. He seems to be comforted by our presence.

The Bible tells us our spiritual vision is clouded for now. There are a lot of things we see but can’t understand. There are some things we can only make out as shadows and shapes as it were with no real understanding.

One day, our vision will be made clear. We will see and understand. Things which perplex us now will make sense.

Until then, we can take comfort in knowing God sees it all, understands it all and is sovereign over all. And, He goes with His children. We can move forward in confidence and comfort knowing He cares for His own and will get us Home.

“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…” – Luke 18:1

I saw a church sign recently which read, “God moves mountains. Sometimes one shovel full at a time.”

As I pondered that thought, it occurred to me how often we want the whole mountain gone at once; so we can get to wherever it was we were going, or do whatever it was we were doing.

But, God’s schedule is seldom in synch with ours. Hence, the need for patience (which we recently discussed). When we pray for the mountain to be moved, and God chooses to do it one shovel full at a time, don’t forget He is still moving the mountain.

If a loved one is sick, and we pray for healing, typically we want that healing to take place now. But, what if it takes a year, or two, or more? Is God still not the author of that healing?

If you are praying for something – whatever the need – remember the One who taught us to pray did so with the intention we would persist in prayer and not lose heart.