“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:1-2)
Yesterday, I caught the end of the movie “Harriet,” an account of the work of Harriet Tubman. One of the post-scripts said that this great historical hero lived until she was 91 and her last words were a quote from Jesus’ reassuring words of comfort found in John’s gospel.
Jesus was referring to a reservation for believers, in the Father’s house and those words are very appropriate during times when a loved one in Christ goes home to be with the Lord.
Harriet Tubman’s last words, from my view, referred to her work in leading slaves to freedom by means of the underground railroad. Trip after trip, she showed bravery, boldness, and believe me, her work showed great resolve to help those wrongly enslaved find freedom. She knew the paths to take. She knew how to keep the enemy from stopping her efforts. She was truly a leader. Another post-script talked about how she led a army unit; something uncommon for any woman, let alone a former slave.
This morning, be comforted by Jesus’ words! Today, be consoled by Jesus words! Be assured by Jesus words! This day, be enthused by Harriet Tubman’s example. Be encouraged by her example. Be enthralled, impressed by her example. But let’s go another step further. Let’s focus on you.
As you go forth in your life, starting today, go to prepare a place; a place where others see how Christ saved and changed even you! Starting at this very hour, go to prepare a place, where people will find compassion in all that you do. Go prepare a place, where individuals can see the light of the Lord shining forth from your saintly behavior and your special words! Go prepare a place, by showing your faith in God and by telling folks what faith in God can do and in fact, is doing at that very moment! Go prepare a place, where people learn about perseverance through your actions! Go prepare a place, a place where even you have some quiet time and hear the voice of the Lord speak to the storms of your life, saying, “Peace be still!” Go prepare a place for yourself, where you can mediate on the fact that the Lord will make a way somehow. Go prepare a place; a place characterized the narrow path of righteousness, so that individuals on the broad path that leads to destruction will have a change of heart and head toward the One who is the way, the truth, and the life!
Another holiday has passed by, but a holy day is before you, every blessed day you see, and everywhere you go, because you go forward, thinking of others, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Have a wonderful Tuesday! May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give your His peace! My friend, you are not alone! Be blessed!
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13 NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King