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“One more day down…and one less day till I can go home!”
That’s the thought that came to my mind one evening last week as I was lying in bed at the end of a long day. As many of you know, I’ve spent over two months working for my grandparents in Holmes County, OH, this summer. I’ve really enjoyed my time here and am really glad I came, but it’s time to go home. I am actually going home this very weekend!!! (I just used three exclamation points; can you tell I’m excited???)
As I was lying in bed, anticipating going home, I thought of something else: shouldn’t I have this same anticipation for going home to my eternal home? Shouldn’t I say every night, “One more day down…and one less day till I can go home!”
Not to say that I should be wishing my life away and be “so heavenly minded that [I’m] no earthly good,” as the age-old quote goes. Rather, as I realize that my days here are dwindling, I should be doing exactly what I’m doing right now in Holmes County: getting my affairs in order, spending time with all the people I’m going to be leaving, and going about my last days at work with a renewed purpose.
Too often I just float through life with such an earthly focus. Heaven is the furthest thing from my mind. I’m focused on the next activity here in my life, but I forgot that as each day ends, I am one day closer to eternal life. Not only should I be anticipating Heaven more and more every day, but I should let that anticipation build a great sense of urgency in me to fulfill my calling here on earth before I leave. What is my calling? To bring glory to God.
“One more day down…and one less day till I can go home!”
And for a song on the subject, here’s one called “I’m Going Home”, sung in the Sacred Harp shape-note style. I sang this song (in a more “polished”, choral style) at music camp this summer. It’s a great song with a great message. These people put a lot of enthusiasm into it! I’d love to go to one of these shape-note conventions sometime:
Becca says
Shape note singing is so fun and unique, and this one is new for me. Thanks for your thoughts and the song!
Paula Daniel says
Briana, I read your post tonight as I sit with my dying mother. I wanted to tell you how much it touched us. We are all heartbroken and will miss Mom something fierce. It’s hard to imagine life without her. Your words helped us to remember that she isnt dying, she is going home. Through the sacrifice and grace of Christ we were made Easter people and one day we too will go home. As I try to imagine what life looks like without her, your words reminded me that they should look like me doing the thing I was created to do, bringing Glory to God. Thank you for your words that have brought us such peace.
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Praise the Lord. My prayers are with you and your family, Paula!
Sue says
This is so exciting ! What appropriate sentiments for those of us living at the end of an age. Jesus is coming ! and He told us to be about doing His will. We also have to be faithful – enduring to the end in our faith in Him.
Would you believe I came across the site of a brother who has calculated, FROM SCRIPTURE, the APPROXIMATE date of Jesus’ return to Earth ?! All the math is in his book. The dial on his site reads ‘He returns in 4785 days’. However, it is clear that the good old rapture takes place about 3 1/2 years before that – for those abiding in Christ. So, we had better be about glorifying the Lord TODAY since time really is short. Thanks Briana for bringing this subject up.
christsreturn2028
Briana Thomas says
I’m confused…are you saying that Christ is returning in 2028, or is that what this guy was saying?
Sue says
Yes, that is what his exhaustive (and exhausting !) research in Scripture over many years has shown. He’s very humble, and never expected to discover such things, or that God would move him to put it in a book. The math stacks up so I, for one, believe he’s got it right. There’s a ‘condensed analysis’ on his page which gives 10 different mathematical ways he reached the 2028 conclusion. His name : R.H. Vargo. (US citizen.)
Briana Thomas says
“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Matthew 24:36, 42, 44
What do you do with those verses?
Sue says
Yes, exactly, that is why I would never look up ‘the second coming timing’ on computer. I thought God wanted to keep it a secret. However, he does not give a definite day and hour. He gives a window of two consecutive days in September 2028. It will be on the Feast of Trumpets, which was the only feast of the Lord which was a bit indeterminate. The new moon had to be sighted in Jerusalem by the Sanhedrin nassi before Feast of Trumpets was declared to the people for celebration that year. But … on the other hand, Daniel was told that these endtime dates were sealed up until the time of the end. Not forever. And Amos was inspired to declare that the Lord God will do nothing except He have first revealed it to His servants the prophets. Interesting, huh ?!
Briana Thomas says
Hmmm…interesting indeed. I disagree, but thank you for sharing your opinion.
Sadi says
This post was very thought provoking, I often forget that we were placed on this earth to glorify God (and that our lives are but a vapor). O! may we all be found good stewards of Gods time.
I also loved the song, thank you Briana!
Gail Welick says
I absolutely love your song “I Am Going Home” and the fact it is sung accapella.