Homesick No More
Homesick No More
Are you afraid to die? Do thoughts of death gloom over you and shroud your soul in fear? It didn’t affect the Apostle Paul that way. Listen to his attitude towards death in Philippians 1:23, “My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” Paul was not only not afraid to die; he stood ready and willing to die because his greatest desire was to depart and be with Christ.
The word “depart” is rich in meaning. When the Roman army settled down for the night, they would build walls and even a moat. When it was time to depart in the morning, they would pack up the tents and move on, leaving behind the remnants of the camp. Sailors used the word “depart” when they would pull up anchor and move to another port. Farmers used the word “depart” to describe the unyoking of the oxen at the end of the day. Paul knew one day he would die and leave his body behind. He knew one day he would pull up anchor and move to an eternal port. He knew one day he would be unyoked from this life and his departure would be at hand. Paul was homesick; he had a strong yearning to be with someone he deeply loved, like the psalmist, in Psalm 73:25, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”
Beloved, because the Apostle Paul had an intimate relationship with Jesus in this life, he couldn’t wait to be with Jesus in the next life, and nothing could ruin that reality…not the experience of dying, and certainly not the fear of death itself. Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? Have you repented of your sin and put your trust in Jesus and what He did at Calvary, for you? There are no lukewarm people in Heaven, only on Earth. Beloved, one day you will die and leave your body behind. One day, you will pull up anchor. One day, you will be unyoked from this life, and your departure will be at hand. If you love Jesus, you will be HOMESICK no more!
This is Laine Wilder for Carry the Light Ministries, bringing you Insights From an Elder.
by Laine Wilder
author of “Insights From an Elder” for
Carry the Light Ministries
