A Life in Exile

For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; “he will lead them to springs of living water.”   “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 7:17 (NIV)

Eliza Hewitt wrote the well-known hymn that conveys our future outlook. The first line reads: “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!” So much excitement, so thrilling to stand in the presence of God and worship. No more tears or crying there.

And rest…eternal rest.

Maybe not rest from doing, for I don’t think heaven will be boring or without activity, but it will be rest from the labor of this life. Who knows more about the benefit of such rest than one who labored for years to see the nations come to faith?

Lilias Trotter will be one of many who will be pleased to be able to give up the load. She wrote:

One of my first thoughts when I get to heaven will be “How good to be relieved of responsibility.”

Miriam Huffman Rockness, A Passion for the Impossible: The Life of Lilias Trotter

To carry the burden of knowing souls are won and lost by my witness proves heavy indeed, and all of us are in debt to those who shared Christ with us; be they missionaries in a foreign land or a Sunday School teacher at home, they did not carry the responsibility lightly.

At Christ’s return, the mission ends, the task is complete, the journey done. Time has ended and eternity goes on. We find our relief in him, as he says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Until then, may we carry on so all may hear and have the opportunity to join us on that joyous day in glory.

Grace and Peace