So it's going to be a little tricky to capture my train of thought on this one because there are a lot of things bouncing around. I want to paint a picture with an illustration first though:
We all know someone in the military who is or has diligently served our country. I hope that you have the ultimate respect for these people. Now why do these people go do what they do? Sure there are monetary benefits nowadays, but I want you to envision those patriotic soldiers that love their country enough to sacrifice everything they have to protect what they believe in. It gives me chill bumps just thinking about those who have laid down there lives. So they leave their friends and family, they leave their safety and comfort, to go through intense training and hardship. Once they finish that they willingly go to foreign lands, all aware that their life is at risk. Many see things that would be unbearable for our eyes to see. When they finish their tour, they come home and get to embrace their family. I can't imagine what that feeling of love and comfort feels like. Being immersed in the arms of the one you have longed to see for so long, and realizing the peace and freedom you feel from being on your own soil. Yet, many of our brave soldiers re-enlist. Why? Is it because they don't want to stay wrapped up in their spouses and children's arms? I think for most that's not the case. They could think of no better place then right there with the family. They go back because they have been called to a mission that has not been finished. They are trained to make a difference, and save lives and that is the ultimate sign of love and sacrifice. So they willingly continue to serve, even though they so desperately just want to feel the comforts and love for home.
Before continuing on I want you to grab your Bibles and read Philippians 1:20-26. The most remembered verse in this particular passage is v. 21 where Paul writes "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." We love our lives so much don't we? We see death as such a terrible thing along with everything associated with it. But Paul is wrestling with these two things and you can feel in his heart how he desperately longs to die because dying means being home with the Lord. He is an alien on foreign territory and he is tired from his service. He knows that there will be no greater feeling then the day he get to rest in His Lord's presence, being overwhelmed by love, peace, and comfort. So death becomes not a fear to escape, but a hope to embrace. His argument to keep on living is because he has dedicated himself to a noble cause on this earth and it remains unfinished. He knows His Master has put him for a reason and he has a great desire to obey the Master. He longs for the souls that don't know the freedom He has, and that will face death (in a spiritual sense) if he does not carry out the testimony of good news that he has received. What a life of sacrifice and unselfishness! Yet, we are promised the same hope at death as Paul. He had a great perspective of what life on this earth looks like.
Be encouraged those who read this. God has put His image all over this earth, from the divine creation of nature to His image in mankind. We can always rejoice because He is active in our world and we can always praise Him. The Spirit is alive in us and compelling us to do the work of the Father. So praise God that even in this foreign kingdom, He is everywhere because it is his creation. But all your days look forward to the day where you get to go home in your heavenly kingdom. And during your time away be in constant remembrance of what God has given you and what He longs to do through you. Rejoice with Him as more people come to worship and glorify His great name. We must lose our own lives so that His may be exalted and praised.
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