Encouragement

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One day I was delivering propane to a nearby house. When I arrived, no one was home except the family pet, Sonny. He is a Rot, Golden Lab cross. I had been here before and he knew me.

They had a large tank and it was nearly empty, so I was there for some time. I leaned lazily against the container while the truck pumped away. Watching this handsome dog, something about him captivated my attention. I realized that it was the way he sat. He was laying down, but he lay down like a sprint runner would squat at the starting line.

His attention, even when I patted his head, was utterly absorbed by the long winding driveway. I looked down it, straining to see what the dog was looking at. I had just came up it and I couldn't recall any deer or other animals that might maintain his attention in such a manner. He glanced up at me when I spoke. "Good boy," I said. He enjoy my sentiment, but went directly back to his diligent study of the drive way.

In a moment, I returned to the tank to continue watching the gauge, making certain I didn't over fill it. I turned and watch Sonny from there. His steadfast attitude was something I marveled at. It slowly began to sink in. I mean why he sat there looking at the road that way. His master was gone. He had left that way and the dog knew he would return that way.

The dog hadn't followed or taken off down the driveway. He simply knew that sooner or later, his master would be coming around that corner. He knew it and he waited with watchful eyes.

One of the greatest thrills of being a Christian, is knowing that a day presently, my Master will return. Though His Spirit dwells in me since I asked Him to, soon He will split the clouds and with trumpets blaring, call those who know him unto Himself and again He will be here in the physical.

In the Word we read, "And saying these things, as they watched, He was taken up. And a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they were looking intently into the heaven, He having gone, even behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into the heaven? This same Jesus who is taken up from you into Heaven, will come in the way you have seen Him going into Heaven“(Acts 1:9-11, MKJV). Jesus left this earth a long time ago in His physical body. But His Spiritual presence is ever near. And available to any who need Him. The knowledge that the Creator of the universe shall return to take those who believe in Him and have received His forgiveness back into Heaven with Him makes all the trials and tribulations worth while.
I have told many in the past that the peace and joy that He has given me alone makes it all worth it. And it does. Philippians 4:7 says "And the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus“ (MKJV). This is a real and unexplainable peace. It is a gift from God. No matter what your circumstances, it is there. But, the Heaven part is real. It's like the icing on the cake.

Matthe R. Davenport, 2005

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