One of my favorite periods in United States history to study
is the time of Westward Expansion. A period when people much more courageous
than I, brave Pioneers, would hop aboard a covered wagon full of their life
long belongings, fueled for the adventure of a lifetime by their hopes, dreams,
and ambition.
Sometimes, however, the husband would mount on horseback,
leaving his wife and children behind with family to go claim land and build a
home, with the plan to return for his family; sparing them the arduous journey,
time spent searching for land and dangers of the treacherous trip.
This was a long journey, often leaving women and children
anxiously waiting and looking towards the horizon each day in hopes that their
loved one would return soon, safe and ready to take them to new lands.
They prayed for their husband, father’s protection each
night while rumors of Indian raids and robbers reached their ears. They dreamed
of the home he was building for them and all being reunited again under one
roof. Tears inevitably fell each night as the wife longed to see her husband
again, but reassuring her heart with the reminder of his loving words, “My
love, I am going to prepare a place for you, so wait here and I’ll be back for
you—I’ll be back for you.”
I believe if it were me, I would arise each day wondering, “Is
today the day?! I must be ready for his return just in case.” I would prepare
my children for the journey too! I would do my daily work each day, but
constantly dream of my loves return. And then, on that glorious day of his
return, when I saw his face coming riding over the hills—with tears streaming
from my face, I would run to him with open arms for his embrace and he would
wipe the tears from my eyes and I would see tears fall from his face too. Oh,
the love… the journey he would have experienced. The patience, endurance, and
love it required of him. The sacrifice.
That.is. Jesus.
We are his bride. He went to prepare a place for you and for
me.
Lord, I pray, give me the strength to be faithful to you in
the wait. Help me not turn from eagerly waiting on you by distractions of this
world. Help me to be focused on the
horizon—waiting and watching---pure and clean—ready to leap into your arms--the
love of my life. To be held and loved intimately by you, Father. To be found
faithful on the day of your return, working hard each day with perseverance,
running the race with diligence you set before me.
Thank you for the cross. Thank you for the journey. Thank
you for your great act of love and thank you for your promise of return.
“Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will
see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on
account of him. Even so. Amen.” Revelation 1:7
“for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee
shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” Romans 14:11
