GALATIANS 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
THEME OF THE DAY: WE HAVE MILES TO GO. Poems make for awesome reading. In fact, did we know there are a ton of poems in the Bible? They are everywhere. Study them sometime. The language of poetry often grips us and feels like we are transported to a different time and place. Not to mention, there are great insights and learning to be found in poetry about life, even spiritual lessons. One particular poem I am fond of was written by Robert Frost in 1923. Being one whose favorite season is winter, yes, it really is, and I love snow, lots of it, this particular gem by Mr. Frost grips me. Here it is . . .
Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
One pictures a rider heading home on a quiet wintry night. The snow is lightly falling. He is tired. The day or days likely have been long, and he stops to the bewilderment of his horse. He is gripped by an enchanted woods beckoning him to rest, to ponder, and be lost in the beauty of a silent night when all is still. Though the pull of scene is strong, he cannot rest. He must continue. His journey is not finished with miles to go before he sleeps, miles to go before he sleeps, and there are promises to those awaiting him he must keep.
The servant of the Lord knows such longings but not for a beautiful scenery in nature or rest in this world. It is a longing for heaven because of the weariness of the Lord’s call in our lives this side of heaven. To be a Christian is exhausting. We must fight a crafty devil, refuse the allurements of the world, and beat down our ever-tempting flesh. Then we have the call of Jesus to labor for souls, for His people, and make a difference on the way to heaven. For us to do so, we need the resolve of the character in Frost’s poem. We are not home yet. We have miles to go before we rest, miles to go before we rest, so let’s not grow weary in what the Lord calls us to. It will be worth the toil when the journey is over.
PRAYER: “Father, help me understand this world is not home or a place of rest, but the place to labor for You.”
QUOTE: “Soon we will be home with the Lord, but until then, work hard for Him. That is why we are here.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim