Are We There Yet?

Looking forward to family vacations was always a highlight for us kids, and upon their mention, we were ready to go. My father would take his vacation days all at once, so the trips that we took would be long and enjoyable. One trip stands out in my mind, however, and I would like for you to relive it with me.

Our father told us that we were going to Illinois on a train. He wanted us to experience that mode of transportation for ourselves. While we were in Illinois, Dad said we would buy a new car. It was fun, but as I recall the trip was a test of our patience. It took about half a week to arrive at our destination, thanks to the train trip. Thinking about it now, I wonder how many times we children felt like we would never get there.

While that may bring a smile to our faces now, we do much the same thing as children of God. When life becomes difficult, we often lose sight of His coming. With heavy hearts, we can get bogged down with the cares and pressures of life, and we are in danger of drifting away from the shores of hope. In other words, we are no longer looking forward to arriving at our destination. This is subtle, but if we are not careful we will let our focus slip. Doing this, in turn, can lead us to seek fulfillment in possessions, fame, or status. Fellowship with God no longer takes a prominent place in our lives, and we can grow cold towards Him.

In order to maintain a walk with God that is vibrant and alive, we must keep the confident expectation of His coming at any time in our hearts. Let me put it this way: On the train ride with my family, any hardship was forgotten when we remembered that we were approaching the end of our trip. In the same way, we can know that Christ's coming is eminent as we look at the complexion of the world around us. I believe that Christians can be the most positive people in the world, because we don’t put our hope in worldly things.

If you don’t have that hope, or you have drifted away, God is inviting you to come to Him today. The Bible says that God is a very present help in time of trouble, so when the train ride of life seems long and hard, He wants to comfort you. Ask Him to help you see heaven more clearly, and troubles here on earth will become more manageable.

Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week!

We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 377 E. Chapman Ave., Suite 260, Placentia, CA 92870. Finally, you're always welcome to join our Monday night Bible study or Tuesday night prayer meeting. Both are conducted by conference call, and they take place at 5:30 PM Arizona time. Our conference number is 712-775-7031, and our ID is 607518748. We hope to talk with you soon!
If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 507-369-6861.

Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 377 E. Chapman Ave., Suite 260, Placentia, CA 92870. Finally, you're always welcome to join our Monday night Bible study or Tuesday night prayer meeting. Both are conducted by conference call, and they take place at 5:30 PM Arizona time. Our conference number is 712-775-7031, and our ID is 607518748. We hope to talk with you soon!

If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 507-369-6861.