I look forward to meeting Jesus

I look forward to meeting Jesus

Many of us would echo Paul’s words that it is better to be with the Lord than to remain in this life (Phil 1:21-23). Do we mean it?

The other night, in a small country town I met a man. Let’s call him Peter.

On arrival at Peter’s home there is a sign to say that someone inside is on chemo. Visitors are only allowed after using an antiseptic spray and not enter if they had a cold or any other infection.

Peter was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer four months ago. It has spread to his liver and he is on palliative chemotherapy. Even with some relief through the chemo, life is measured in months and he is likely not to see the next spring.

Peter is a man of strong faith in Jesus. He speaks of being at peace in his body, his mind and his soul. And he speaks of how the best thing is that he soon gets to meet Jesus.

That’s challenging. 

Peter’s first wife died of cancer and he remarried 16 years ago. He has a nice house in a wonderful town and recently bought a new camper van. Earth offers him many pleasures. But his eyes light up when he speaks of soon meeting Jesus. That is his greatest delight and outweighs his sense of earthly loss.

That’s very challenging.

We say that we too would rather be with the Lord? Do we mean it? Or are we so attached to present pleasures that our prayer is: Lord take me home, but not yet?