The words ‘SAFE ARRIVAL’ may conjure up many pictures in our minds. An important legal document is despatched by courier and is delivered at the lawyer’s office on the very day on which it is required. We may think of a journey by land, sea, air or even underwater. Mark and Jo (our son-in-law and daughter) always sms us when they land at Heathrow Airport after returning from their annual family visit to Malaysia. We can also envisage the proud grandparents as they excitedly inform all their friends of the SAFE ARRIVAL of their first grandchild.
But these words ‘SAFE ARRIVAL’ can also refer to Christians who have come to the end of their earthly journey. This concept is given to us by Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul.
John 14: 1 – 7
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
Philippians 1: 21 – 24
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
Jesus Christ says that he will come back for us and take us to be with him, so that we may be where he is. Paul tells us of his desire to depart and be with Christ, which is ‘better by far’.
We know that, until Jesus Christ comes again, we must pass through death in order to enter into the eternal presence of Jesus Christ and the indescribable wonders of heaven. Who would not desire such an amazing SAFE ARRIVAL?
To conclude on a more personal note, Betty (my very dear wife since 8/8/64) ARRIVED SAFELY on Tuesday, 8th December 2009 at 3.30pm
Her family and many friends will greatly miss both her God-given deep love and concern for all with whom she came into contact and also her infectious cheerful disposition and her boundless fund of real life stories. However, at the same time, we are also rejoicing and praising the Lord, whom Betty loves and serves (note the present tense!) for healing her eternally and taking her to be with him forever. For Betty, this is ‘better by far’.
And so we again thank our heavenly Father for Betty’s 87 years with us and above all for assuring us of her SAFE ARRIVAL.
