Going Home
by Sidney Grant
OVER THE PAST 34 YEARS, I've traveled to many lands – six continents and scores of countries and cities. I've been on mountain tops and through valleys; I've been through rivers and high seas; I've encountered many storms; I've seen the beauty and breathtaking sceneries of God's creation, but the most beautiful place I've ever been and always long to be is home.
You may ask, where is home? I was born in the country of Honduras and sailed the seas for seven years. I spent five years in Hobe Sound during my academic career and lived in West Palm Beach for four years while pastoring. I then moved back to Hobe Sound in 1992 and have been living in Martin County, Florida ever since. There is familiarity and friendship in all of these places; however, the place I call "home" is where I share my life with the people I know and love. Therefore, going home for me is where I long to be following a journey.
Recently, there have been several servants of the Lord whose journey of hope became a reality as they crossed the threshold of time to eternity. Their homegoing was the climax of their journey as they saw again those they knew and loved – particularly, family who had gone on before. But, most importantly, they met the Lord Jesus Christ face-to-face who was their eternal hope.
As HIM continues to help others prepare for eternity, it is our desire to help people know Jesus and become connected to the family of God; consequently, having a people to identify with and a place to call home. Life's journey will always be hopeful as long as these ingredients are in the mix.
"Going home is a journey traveled in time with the objective of knowing that we are properly connected to Jesus... "
Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated the 63rd annual Sea Breeze Camp Meeting. God's presence was magnificent, and His people were blessed. Hobe Sound Bible College's 50th Anniversary Celebration was a highlight of the heavenly visitation. While camp only lasted for 10 days, they were homecoming days. God's people gathered to worship and fellowship as if in prelude to the homegoing of these servants. Their journey of hope culminated in the presence of the Lord Jesus with the redeemed.
Going home is a journey traveled in time with the objective of knowing that we are properly connected to Jesus, secure of our hope, and sharing its joy for others to join us. Simply stated, the joy of life is knowing there is a place called "home" when the day's journey is over.
As our dear friends, Dr. Robert E. Whitaker, Rev. Ralph Bailey, Sister Martha Finney, Sister Lois Schmul, and Sister Eileen Gerard, have waved goodbye to us, their journey of hope concluded as they entered their eternal home. They are no longer going home; they are home! As we continue to our heavenly home, let us covenant to do two things:
- share every resource effectively and
- always live in view of eternity.
LIVE and SERVE!
