On Going Home…
A missionary and his wife were returning after nearly 50 years on the mission field. They had toiled and lived – far away from all they held dear, away from the basic conveniences of life – in a place where every day brought new challenges and a hand-to-mouth existence, shadowed by the knowledge that that could be their last day on earth.
But God had been faithful throughout those years and they had never had any cause to complain. They had witnessed miracles and seen lives transformed. They were now returning with the quiet assurance that God had used them for the furtherance of His kingdom.
As the ship approached the docks, people on board began lining themselves up on the decks, eagerly waiting to catch their first glimpse of land and beloved faces. The old missionary and his wife were also there – they were, after all, coming back after 50 years!
As the ship drew close, they noticed huge banners and hoardings festooning the pier. Most of them had the same message – “WELCOME BACK”. People were thronging the docks, waving flags and handkerchiefs, smiles adorning their faces. A delegation from the city council office was also among the crowd - this was part of their duty.
They were all there to greet their Prime Minister who was returning after a holiday abroad.
The missionary’s wife turned joyfully to her husband, “Isn’t it lovely to be back, dear?” A single nod answered her and she knew that something was wrong. She waited for her husband to tell her in his own time, and soon it came – “Look at them! All these people, waiting to welcome back a man returning from a holiday! Here we are, we’ve worked and slogged in the toughest of situations. Do they even know the hardships and problems we’ve faced? Now we’re returning after all these years! Is a little appreciation and welcome too much to ask?”
The reply wasn’t very long coming. “But you’re not home yet, love.”
But God had been faithful throughout those years and they had never had any cause to complain. They had witnessed miracles and seen lives transformed. They were now returning with the quiet assurance that God had used them for the furtherance of His kingdom.
As the ship approached the docks, people on board began lining themselves up on the decks, eagerly waiting to catch their first glimpse of land and beloved faces. The old missionary and his wife were also there – they were, after all, coming back after 50 years!
As the ship drew close, they noticed huge banners and hoardings festooning the pier. Most of them had the same message – “WELCOME BACK”. People were thronging the docks, waving flags and handkerchiefs, smiles adorning their faces. A delegation from the city council office was also among the crowd - this was part of their duty.
They were all there to greet their Prime Minister who was returning after a holiday abroad.
The missionary’s wife turned joyfully to her husband, “Isn’t it lovely to be back, dear?” A single nod answered her and she knew that something was wrong. She waited for her husband to tell her in his own time, and soon it came – “Look at them! All these people, waiting to welcome back a man returning from a holiday! Here we are, we’ve worked and slogged in the toughest of situations. Do they even know the hardships and problems we’ve faced? Now we’re returning after all these years! Is a little appreciation and welcome too much to ask?”
The reply wasn’t very long coming. “But you’re not home yet, love.”
Comments
One of the most difficult words to define. Where is it? After 50 years 'away', is home in the land they are returning to? Or did they not make their home in the land away?
Or, as is indicated by the context, the home here talking about a home in a post-life heaven? Which would mean it is impossible to be home while on this beloved planet we call Earth. And if we're not at home here, then are we aliens, just as the missionaries were aliens in the land they proselytized in?
And so the alienating nature of heaven is revealed - in removing us from this world, making us into aliens that do not belong to this planet on which we are really most at home, evolving here over millions of years, evolving to fit this planet and no other.
Home. This planet is my home, and I am at home in this life. My hope is for the alienation of an extra-earthly heaven to cease. At least for you Ruth.
Actually, the fact of “heaven” (as you understand it) does not alienate. The Bible says that “He has placed eternity in our hearts”…there is definitely a connection between this life on earth and eternity. To me, that connection, fills my life now, with more meaning.
The Biblical word for 'eternity' should really be translated 'everlasting'. However, everlasting indicates endlessness, which further indicates meaningless (picking up the double meaning of 'end' as 'purpose'). Therefore, I choose not to believe in an everlasting/endless reality, as I think there is meaning.
John Robinson (in Thou Who Art) and the Jewish mystic Martin Buber (in I and Thou) talk about the Eternal Now. I can't explain this here, but this is the way I believe in eternity - in the Now.
Rather than placing the importance of my life outside of the 70 or so years of what we call life before death happens, this concept of the eternal Now places the meaning of my life into the instant, focusing on the importance of the decision I am making in the present. Sure, the past and future are important, but on by how they relate to the present moment, the moment of freedom and choice, where I can create the world in a particular way because of the choices I make, right now!
I often find concepts of a post-life eternity that I will live(!) through to take away the focus from my present life now, as it normally seems to turn this life into just a testing ground to see where I'll end up - whether I fall into the good bucket or the bad one. But that testing ground theory seems to be based far too much on fear (of the bad bucket), and makes my life now all about that future misty life, which, lets face it, none of us are certain even exists.
If we focus on the choices in the present moment, and enabling ourselves to make the right choices (for justice, love, peace, etc.), then our life gains a whole lot of meaning that I think most concepts of heaven and post-life eternity take away. Just my experience.
Btw, have you experienced different concepts of time? It's worth exploring if you get the chance, because changes in time-conceptions are most incredible. :)