You’re Not Home Yet!
Debby DeStefano
“For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.”
Hebrews 13:14
Every year here at Fairwinds we have our month-long Missions Month. What a blessing it is to hear about the various fields from some of the missionaries that we already support and any new missionary that we take on to support.
As I was watching Dr. David Jeremiah one time, I heard him tell this story. It was one that I had heard before, but I thought was worth repeating as it has to do with missionaries and really anyone who serves the Lord and it was an encouragement to me. I pray that it will speak to you today and be an
encouragement to your heart also.
An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years, and they were returning to New York City to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions. No one paid much attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the President’s entourage, with passengers trying to catch a glimpse of the great man. As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, "Something is wrong. Why should we have given our lives in faithful service for God in Africa all these many years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes back from a hunting trip and everybody makes much over him, but nobody gives two hoots about us." "Dear, you shouldn’t feel that way," his wife said. "I can’t help it; it doesn’t seem right." When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the President. The mayor and other dignitaries were there. The papers were full of the President’s arrival, but no one noticed this missionary couple. They slipped off the ship and found a cheap flat on the East side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city. That night, the man’s spirit broke. He said to his wife, "I can’t take this; God is not treating us fairly." His wife replied, "Why don’t you go into the bedroom and tell that to the Lord?" A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was completely different. His wife asked, "Dear, what happened?" "the Lord settled it with me," he said. "I told him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put his hand on my shoulder and simply said, ‘But you’re not home yet!’"
(From Talking To My Father, by Ray Stedman. Barbour & Co. 1997)
What an uplifting and encouraging thought. Sometimes we get so dragged down by this world and forget that this world is not our home, we are just passing through. Pastor Nate touched on this in his sermon today. It doesn’t matter if you are on the platform where everyone can see or if you are a faithful servant behind the scenes that no one sees. Even if you can do nothing more than be a prayer warrior, God sees no difference in service to Him. There are no levels of importance in serving the Lord with your whole heart. Is your heart heavy today? Do you feel like everything you do is not noticed or not appreciated? Are you just plain tired of fighting the fight? If you
are discouraged today, just remember “We’re Not Home Yet!”
“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”
Philippians 3:20
We’re Not Home Yet!
This old world is filled with disappointments and trouble every day.
Many times I get discouraged and I almost lose my way.
Then I remember I'm just a pilgrim, in this troubled world below.
That's the reason I keep singing as I go.
We're not home yet children. So keep your eyes on the Savior.
Just a few more days to labor and we'll sit down beside the river.
How we long to be with Jesus and our loved ones gone before us.
There's a better day a comin'. We're not home yet!
- Song Written by Jean Bradford
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
Colossians 3:23-24
About the Author
Debby, the daughter of our church founder, has dedicated her life to serving God at Fairwinds Baptist Church. Now a retired pastor's wife, she continues to inspire us with uplifting devotionals, choosing joy despite her health struggles. Her unwavering faith enriches our community and reflects our mission to know God through Jesus Christ.
