Tonight I got a hard phone call from a friend who works with Athletes in Action with me about a former AIA staff member, and friend, who tragically past away this morning in a freak car accident. This friend, Liz, was my age and her and I had some overlap here in Ohio before she left staff. I got to know her a lot deeper through hearing the story of Christ woven into her life as she was one of the first people I heard share their story during a Friday “Family Story Time” that we have at the Training Center here in Ohio. Liz had some trying moments over the years but the redemptive power of Christ in her life was evident and it was obvious that Jesus was at work in her life.
Needless to say, my mind has been spinning since I received the call. I was reminded of a song, I’ve been singing a ton with getting ready to go “home” to Prague come this fall, but the song is obviously about the true Home of those who know Christ – Heaven. There are many pieces of Scripture that hit home this point that the Christian’s home is indeed Heaven and not this world.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20
This doesn’t make this event any less tragic, nor sad, BUT for the Christian it gives hope. Hope that there is more than this broken world that is full of so much hurt, death, and sin. It makes me long and ache for Heaven! So the words to Shawn McDonald’s song are below and a brief YouTube clip of the song as well. I pray they make you ponder your life here and your life to come. Because after all none of us are guaranteed tomorrow… Please do pray for Liz’s friends and family in the midst of the dark clouds that have swirled into their lives today.
I’ve seen enough to say that I know
That this old world is not my home
From lustful eyes and tainted lies, pride to hide the way that I
The way that I feel inside
I am ready to go home
I’m packing my bags and I’m hitting the road
I am ready to go home
I’m packing my bags and I’m hitting the road
I’m packing my bags and I’m hitting the road
Yes, I’m gonna run, I’m gonna run for my home
To stand in the sight of the Living God
That’s where I’m longing to be