
I've always loved the hymn "This is My Father's World". I think it goes back to my early childhood when I would often accompany my dad to his men's bible class at the church we attended. He was a busy man and as a wee lad it was a special time when I could see him in a way that most never did: singing songs of praise to Our Lord. Oh, he was a strong believer in God and tried to live his life for Him, but he was a quiet and sensitive man who wasn't always outward about his personal self, excepting his desire to do his work as a physician to the best of his ability. It was his purpose in life other than we kids and my mother.
He died when I was young and the hymn always reminded me of him. I even remember as an adolescent in our Sunday evening youth group, I had to hide the tear in my eye whenever we sang it as part of our program. To this day it still can tear me up at times.
But as I grew older I began to understand the true significance of the words. While I had associated the lyrics as a boy with my earthly father, it was referring to my Father in Heaven, the one who had created me and all people and things on this earth. And I realized that I should be comforted knowing that when my earthly father left me, I was not alone. Oh, he was gone, and I missed him, but God the Father was always there, watching and cheering me on just as my "daddy" did when he was here with me.
What's more, the fact that Jesus had died for my sins and offered me eternal life through his grace for believing in Him and living life for Him was the greatest gift the world could ever know. And for my moments or faltering or weakness which were sure to follow due to being a mere mortal, He provided the Holy Spirit to serve as my counselor and advisor to keep me on the straight and narrow course.
No longer did I need to be afraid; no longer was it necessary to worry about those things which I can't control. God in Three Persons was always there to lead the way to real life, Heavenly life.
Well, what about my earthly father, a man who loved and cared for me and who I have missed all these years? Well, he's waiting for me as well in the Kingdom, and I can rest assured and be happy knowing that I will see him and my eartly mother again when my days are over. But this time there will be no pain, no sorrow and none of the limitations of time and space that we find here on earth. For we will be together with Our Lord in a true land of milk and honey.
Each of us can reach this glory. Each of us can share the true good life. All we have to do is answer His call by using our free will as He intended. Are we ready to meet His challenge by living life for Him?. If so, our lives will be wonderful beyond human comprehension and we will never have to be sad or lonely ever again. But remember, it's an individual decision, one which we each must come to on our own. There is no "group think" in accepting the Lord Jesus Christ.
God bless you all, have a blessed day and just know that He will be there for you if you only ask.