THE OTHER SIDE

While driving over a beautiful mountain pass in North Carolina, my brother said to me, “Larry, I have never seen such beauty. The snowcapped peaks, the cascading waterfalls, the jagged rocks, and brilliant blue sky are more beautiful than any I have ever seen! I never expected to see such beauty anywhere.”

“Oh,” I said, “wait ’til you see the other side.”

All of us are anxious to “see the other side.” Some because our loved ones have gone on before us, and we are lonely. Others long to be free from endless suffering and relentless pain. Many are anxious and worried about problems that are never solved and seem to be tearing us into fragments. Many, however, because we want to see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Paul encourages us to “Rejoice in our confident hope, be patient in trouble and keep on praying.” In one verse he gives three commands to the Christian: We are to rejoice, remain patient and pray, knowing and believing that one day, “old things will pass away, and all things will be new” when we get to the “other side.” What hope and happiness are ours because we are God’s children. But until He calls us to be with Him, we must remain faithful!

Prayer: Lord, help us not to lose sight of the “other side” when the cares and concerns of life overwhelm us. May we be confident, remain patient, and be faithful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:      Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12