How Much Longer?
Ferrying a family from one city to another is much like God leading us from here to heaven. This situation is especially interesting when you have small children. My recollection goes back to when my kids were all under the age of six or seven. Let me explain, small children have no understanding of minutes or miles. When my children were young, our extended family was located in the same state. Because of this proximity, we would make trips throughout the year to visit grandparents. My parents lived about 135 miles away, and my wife’s parents lived 250 miles from our house. In order to keep the universe in cosmic balance (or at least to keep grandparents and grandchildren happy), we had to make regular trips to the promised land (Grandma and Grandpa's house). Invariably one of our kids would ask, about ten minutes into the trip, “How much longer do we have to go?” It did not do any good to tell them that we had 240 miles left to go. Nor did it accomplish anything if we said that we had 4 hours left. My wife and I learned to translate miles and minutes into a language that our kids understood. (For example: 120 miles equals two Sesame Street shows, an hour and a half equals 3 Andy Griffith shows, four hours equals “Hell on Earth”— oops, sorry, let’s just say that was more Sponge Bob episodes than I could watch). Even though we managed to translate the minutes and miles into kindergarten lingo, it did not help. The kids still groaned and said: “that's too long” (at which time we got out the duct tape).
The interesting thing is that we adults sing the same song to God! How long must I work this job? How long must I put up with this spouse? How long must I suffer? We often wonder how long the walk of faith will last. The God who invented time, the One who spoke the universe into existence, the Author of life has chosen to travel with us. While our faith-travels can seem to be long and at times challenging to endure, God offers reassurance by reminding us that He is always with us and that He has all things in control. Many of today's pilgrims carry heavy loads. Some have bid farewell to lifelong partners. Many have bodies that don't work so well anymore. To you, weary travelers, Jesus says come to him. Those who are confused by fears and trials need to rely on Jesus, the Author and Pioneer of our faith. Remember that there is a heavenly city just ahead, the trip is worth it. Keep looking up!