Packing Up

The saying that "all good things come to an end" is true only to a certain point.  It is true about the good things that we experience in this life, for this world is passing away, along with all its desires and pursuits.  But Jesus has risen from the dead and secured the life and world to come for all his people, for all who will bow to his rule and receive his love in this life.

And, if you will, since all good things in this life are known by God as one eternal present, to him no good ever passes away.  That means that any circumstance, event, person or any other thing we know in this life that is good, in one real sense, never absolutely and completely passes away.  Whatever exists in the mind of God exists, though we human beings, who experience everything chronologically, may not re-live those things that have flowed into our past.

England will continue to exist, though we must leave her on Friday.  We are sad to leave so much good and beauty.  But we will be thankful.  The word "England" will never mean the same thing to us again.  It will remind us of our friends we have left behind, of the many good things we have seen and done, of opportunities for service, and of good friends back home who have helped us along the way.

But in those immortal words of that great philosopher, Scarlett O'Hara: "Fiddle-dee-dee.  Tomorrow is another day!"  Our Lord is also already in the future, isn't he.  Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."  We're glad the Lord knows what's ahead, because we sure don't!  But a main ingredient in walking "by faith" is believing that God is good and he loves us.  He who has faithfully lead us through what has passed is going to faithfully carry us through what is ahead.  As David says, "He will be our guide, even unto death."

Lastly, it is also true that all good things are only beginning.  Through Christ's redeeming and creating work in his cross and resurrection, all the good of this world is but a hint, a foretaste, of the world to come.  And it is ultimately for that world that Jesus has rescued us and made us anew.  The joy of that world is the hope of Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).  Let's keep it our hope, as we continue our brief time in this life.

I could keep going on, but this post must end, too.  And we've got to pack!  Cheers!