Living A Life “Well Done”
There is a song that is often sung at funerals. These are not ordinary people but EXTRA-ordinary individuals who gave their lives to the LORD. If you have ever attended a funeral of such a person and heard the lyrics of this song, then you understand exactly what I mean. Let us first see the lyrics of the melody “Thank You” by Ray Boltz.
“I dreamed I went to heaven/And you were there with me.
We walked upon the streets of gold/Beside the crystal sea.
We heard the angels singing/Then someone called your name.
You turned and saw this young man/And he was smiling as he came.
And he said, “Friend, you may not know me now/And then he said, “But wait.”
You used to teach my Sunday School/When I was only eight.
And every week you would say a prayer/Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer/I asked Jesus in my heart.
Thank you for giving to the Lord/I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord/I am so glad you gave. . . .
As Jesus took your hand/And you stood before the Lord.
He said, “My child look around you,
For great is your reward/I am so glad you gave.”
There are so many ways to get-along in this life here on earth, so many ways to:
- make a living,
- build a reputation,
- grow a family, &
- build an earthly legacy
However, there is only one way to truly GO HOME when this life here on earth is done.
Let us see In the Bible how the Lord Jesus Christ speaks of our heavenly home. Please See With Me the words of Jesus recorded in John.
“ ’Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
And you know the way where I am going.’
Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?’
Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’ ”
(John 14: 1-6)
Going home, yes, everyone loves that thought.
Oftentimes, after a holiday away, we hope to “go home,” to unpack, to reorganize, and to re-tell our story to all who will listen, about the many exciting opportunities we enjoyed.
Someday soon, we are going home. We who have believed & who have accepted & who confess Jesus as LORD—We will GO HOME to HEAVEN.
While we are here on earth, living this “holiday” of sorts, we must be about our Father’s business:
- telling all who will listen,
- loving our neighbor as ourselves, &
- sharing the gospel message of God’s love
as we walk through our lives toward our eternal home.
Our eternal home awaits.
Yes, it does!
Our calendar of days God has given us to live are ticking by.
Yes, they are!
Our work here on earth is important work, for the gospel message must go out to those still lost.
Yes, it must!
Our citizenship is secure, sealed forever by our Father God.
Yes, Thank You, Jesus!
Our salvation and our presence before the throne of God is only possible through Jesus.
Yes, Thank You, Father God, for sending Your Only Son!
Our immediacy is within God’s presence at our death; there is no hesitation.
Yes!
Our walk to our eternal home happens when Jesus comes for each of us.
Yes, Jesus Come!
Our Pain, Our Turmoil, Our Struggles, Our Tears, & Our Temptations will be forever gone.
Yes! All because God sent Jesus Christ to be our Savior!
In the 1700s, the great evangelist and Bible theologian John Wesley spoke these words: “Since [God] is invisible to our eyes, we are to serve Him in our neighbor: which He receives as if done to Himself in person, standing visibly before us.” Thus, we find our prayer needs to be something like these words.
Father God,
Help me keep my eyes upon You.
Help me love others as You have taught me to do.
Help me lead others to see the truth found in You.
I know that I know—someday soon You will come & take me home.
What a hallelujah day that will be.
Help me live today in light of THAT DAY.
Help me, Jesus, serve my neighbor.
Help me lead others to see YOU through my actions on this single day.
Help me not be in the way.
Lead me into the path of those who desperately need to meet You.
Use me. Prove me. Try me. Father, I am Yours.
In the precious name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.
Living A Life “Well Done”
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
(Mark 10: 45)
“Thank you for giving to the Lord/I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord/I am so glad you gave. . . .
As Jesus took your hand/And you stood before the Lord.
He said, “My child look around you,
For great is your reward/I am so glad you gave.”