Let not your heart be troubled

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know...I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. 

-John 14:1-4, 18

I have always loved the context in which Christ told His disciples, "Let not your heart be troubled." They had just found out that Jesus was going to be leaving them, how could their hearts not be troubled? It was at the point of potential heartache Christ told His disciples He would be preparing a place for them. Christ offered comfort as He presented the hope of glory.

Two weeks ago we heard from a dear friend in Ethiopia who was our driver while we were in country. He told us he had been able to visit our girls and asked them if there was a message they would like to send to their family. Kiah's message to us was, "Mom and Dad Come quickly." The restlessness we have felt reminds me of the context of this passage found in John. I can't help but imagine Christ's desire to be reunited with the church, His bride. The feast described in Revelation depicts great anticipation on both the bride and the grooms part. (Revelation 19) I can only imagine what it will be like when this day comes! It has been through our circumstances God has made this passage and many others come to life. Across the globe the church has cried out, "Father, come quickly." Yet, the Lord continues to tarry (wait). Their is still work to be done, and it is through Christ's bride, the church, that this work is to be carried out. The challenge as one waits, is to remain focused on the task at hand, to not get sidetracked from that which must be done. The Lord's patience in His return is not because He does not desire to be re-united with the church, but rather, "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) The Lord desires the feast described in Revelation 19 to include many more. He is not sitting by idle, but actively working in and through His people preparing for the day of His return. We too should not sit by idle, but participate in the preparation of this feast inviting the lost to know Christ.

There are many things that are being accomplished for our girls while we wait, rooms are prepped, car seats are bought, but the most important thing we are waiting for is citizenship. As we wait for our daughters to receive citizenship in the states, Christ waits for many more to find citizenship in heaven. This citizenship is permanent being established only through the person and the work of Jesus Christ. Waiting is not easy, yet for the believer waiting is always done while resting in the promises of Christ.

My message to my girls, is similar to Christ's message to His disciples, "Do not be troubled, we have so much room for you. We have a special place for you in our homes and hearts. We will come to get you soon and you will never be orphans again!!"