YOUR DESTINATION
By Mike Moore, 18th April 2015
There are some subjects we donʼt like to talk about. Either they embarrass us or make us very uncomfortable. One of these topics is death. Of course we know that this is part of life, but especially when youʼre young you want to avoid it. We realize that the time will come when grandpa and grandma will leave us, but that is still very far off in the future.
I always wanted a dog, but since my parents couldnʼt afford one at the time, I had to be satisfied with having hamsters. They were part of my family. The only problem was that we didnʼt have much contact with each other. All a hamster cares about is his food, sleep and running on that revolving wheel in his cage. Eventually the dreaded day came when one of my hamsters died. It was quite an ordeal and the first time in my life that I had to face death. I decided to have a real funeral for my hamster, including a prayer and a short message about him before I buried him in our backyard.
Death is part of life, not only with our pets but with people, too. Most of us wish that we could avoid that subject. Not only does it make us uncomfortable but sometimes we feel like we have to say nice things about the dead person, even if we didnʼt especially like them! Most people do not like to think about the time when we will leave our loved ones behind here on earth. It comforts us and our loved ones to prepare ahead and to have the assurance of what all of us will have to face one day.
The Bible tells us in Romans 10:9-10:
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”
In other words, we donʼt only declare that Jesus is Lord, but we also need to believe it. Jesus confirms to us that there is plenty of room there and that right now, while youʼre reading this, He is preparing a special place, just for you.
“Donʼt let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Fatherʼs home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
(John 14:1-3)
I once had a vivid dream that I will never forget. I saw two people facing each other in the middle of a very large gymnasium. One of them was me. The other oneʼs face I couldnʼt see; however, I knew who it was. It was Jesus! What was this all about, you may ask. It was the time for me in my dream to directly face Jesus.
I recall looking around for my wife; however, she didnʼt appear to be there with me. As a matter of fact, in this large hall there were only two people present, facing each other: Jesus and me! Fortunately I had some “trophies” I could depend on, good things I had accomplished. Multiple diplomas and certificates for serving on the mission field, helping the poor, teaching Sunday School classes, serving as an elder, attending church faithfully, or letters from people thanking me for all the good deeds etc. Maybe you know people who hang up their trophies at the entrance of their homes. You canʼt miss seeing them. Thatʼs the purpose of having them prominently displayed so that they can be seen by all.
While I was facing Jesus in my dream I recall glancing up at the walls to search for all of my own trophies. However, I was literally shocked at what I saw. There was absolutely NOTHING hanging there! Not even one trophy or thank-you letter of how good I had been. To be honest, I wasnʼt just surprised; I was dismayed and deeply hurt! After all, didnʼt anything at all count for all I had done with my time here on earth?
Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that “salvation is completely a gift from God. We only have to accept the gift! God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you canʼt take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” We serve Jesus not because we have to, but because we want to!
Here is the important point. When God, our heavenly Father looks at us, He sees only Jesus! It is not what I have done, but what Jesus has done for me and you! He does not see our sin because it is no longer there once we have accepted that He died on the cross to save us from our sin and shortcomings. We are welcomed into heaven because the Father sees only Jesus. Isaiah 43:25 tells us “I alone will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.”
In my dream while I was searching for some trophies for me hanging on the walls, I should have simply looked at the person facing me, Jesus! I am Yours, Lord Jesus. You love me! You are preparing a place for me! I have a purpose in life and You Lord, will guide me and bring me to the right destination!
I am loved. I am chosen by God, the Father. He loves me so much that He gave His only Son for me. He walks with me daily. Most of all, He has prepared a place for you and me in heaven when our time on this earth is finished.
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