I am amazed to think back on all the time and money I have spent over the years on this earthly home ... and how it continues to crumble around me in spite of continued maintenance.
In fact, I just started a new (and horrifyingly costly) list of Things That Will Eventually Need To Be Repaired. Even if I live to see these items checked off, new and unfixable problems will certainly arise.
That's why I was especially delighted to stumble across this little essay from Mrs. Chas. A. Cowman's classic Streams in the Desert. I saved it some time ago -- whether it's been months or years, I haven't a clue, since my memory is one of the things that's crumbling -- but what a great message for anyone striving for 20/20 vision in his or her eternal eyes.
Ready to move
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor.5:1).
"The owner of the tenement which I have occupied for many years has given notice that he will furnish but little or nothing more for repairs. I am advised to be ready to move.
"At first this was not a very welcome notice. The surroundings here are in many respects very pleasant, and were it not for the evidence of decay, I should consider the house good enough. But even a light wind causes it to tremble and totter, and all the braces are not sufficient to make it secure. So I am getting ready to move.
"It is strange how quickly one's interest is transferred to the prospective home. I have been consulting maps of the new country and reading descriptions of its inhabitants. One who visited it has returned, and from him I learn that it is beautiful beyond description; language breaks down in attempting to tell of what he heard while there. He says that, in order to make an investment there, he has suffered the loss of all things that he owned here, and even rejoices in what others would call making a sacrifice. Another, whose love to me has been proven by the greatest possible test, is now there. He has sent me several clusters of the most delicious fruits. After tasting them, all food here seems insipid.
"Two or three times I have been down by the border of the river that forms the boundary, and have wished myself among the company of those who were singing praises to the King on the other side. Many of my friends have moved there. Before leaving they spoke of my coming later. I have seen the smile upon their faces as they passed out of sight. Often I am asked to make some new investments here, but my answer in every case is, 'I am getting ready to move.'" --Selected
In fact, I just started a new (and horrifyingly costly) list of Things That Will Eventually Need To Be Repaired. Even if I live to see these items checked off, new and unfixable problems will certainly arise.
That's why I was especially delighted to stumble across this little essay from Mrs. Chas. A. Cowman's classic Streams in the Desert. I saved it some time ago -- whether it's been months or years, I haven't a clue, since my memory is one of the things that's crumbling -- but what a great message for anyone striving for 20/20 vision in his or her eternal eyes.
Ready to move
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor.5:1).
"The owner of the tenement which I have occupied for many years has given notice that he will furnish but little or nothing more for repairs. I am advised to be ready to move.
"At first this was not a very welcome notice. The surroundings here are in many respects very pleasant, and were it not for the evidence of decay, I should consider the house good enough. But even a light wind causes it to tremble and totter, and all the braces are not sufficient to make it secure. So I am getting ready to move.
"It is strange how quickly one's interest is transferred to the prospective home. I have been consulting maps of the new country and reading descriptions of its inhabitants. One who visited it has returned, and from him I learn that it is beautiful beyond description; language breaks down in attempting to tell of what he heard while there. He says that, in order to make an investment there, he has suffered the loss of all things that he owned here, and even rejoices in what others would call making a sacrifice. Another, whose love to me has been proven by the greatest possible test, is now there. He has sent me several clusters of the most delicious fruits. After tasting them, all food here seems insipid.
"Two or three times I have been down by the border of the river that forms the boundary, and have wished myself among the company of those who were singing praises to the King on the other side. Many of my friends have moved there. Before leaving they spoke of my coming later. I have seen the smile upon their faces as they passed out of sight. Often I am asked to make some new investments here, but my answer in every case is, 'I am getting ready to move.'" --Selected
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