I just read my squad mate, Katie’s blog titled ‘This side of Heaven’ and it hit me hard with the reality of life and relationships. If you can, go take a look at her blog (katiefreeman.theworldrace.org). Her words are powerful and full of truth and love.
So you see, the other night, we went to the house of a missionary here in Armenia—our entire squad. He invited and treated us to a pizza dinner and then dessert at His house.
When we were there, he said something that in the moment I thought was a little depressing but is so real. When I read Katie’s blog I realized just how real it is.
He said, ‘Let’s be honest, we probably won’t see each other again this side of heaven. But isn’t it beautiful that out of 7 billion people here on this earth, God allowed us to meet and spend time together?’
The race really makes you grab hold of those words and try to make the most of the time you have with the people you meet. A lot of the people I meet and have met already on the race I may never see again this side of heaven. Let’s be honest, they live on the other side of the planet from me and who knows where the Lord will call me after the race. With that said, it got me thinking about the people I have at home too…I pray I will see you all again this side of heaven but there’s a chance I won’t.
It makes me think of how, even more than ever, I want to give my life for the purpose of Jesus, to love people and God well and to share His truth to each person I meet. It’s not my job to save people, but it is my job to be obedient and speak the truth and ‘feed His sheep’. That’s just what I want to do. Also, even if I never see them again this side of heaven, I will when we arrive in eternity with our maker.
Every day counts. Every moment counts. Every human matters to the maker. I’m going to try to make the most of my time this side of heaven to love those around me and share the truth of Jesus so I can see them on the other side.
