Many times I hear people speaking of their plans for retirement, which is not wrong, unless we attach too much importance to those plans, and leave God out of those plans.

I knew of a teacher who did this. She taught my youngest son. Each time I would speak with her, she spoke of all the plans she and her husband had when the both of them retired. They had planned on doing extensive traveling around the United States once they no longer had work and schedules to keep. As it turned out, he contracted cancer and died. Shortly after she retired, she too became sick and died.

I have often thought about her, and the plans which were disrupted through illness. We never know what a day may bring forth.

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1

This world truly is not our home and life can turn on a dime. May we always include Him in our plans and live according to His Word, so in the event we leave this life, a far better life lies ahead, our heavenly home.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:13-16

“We need to bear in mind that we are sojourners. This world is not our home. Unless we are mindful of this obvious fact, we may become so attached to this world that we lose sight of the distant land to which our pilgrimage is going.

Thus it is fitting that we consider some facts of our pilgrimage:

First, there is no inheritance in the land we now occupy. Then why should we fix our affections on earthly things? They are unsatisfactory and must be left behind.

Furthermore, this pilgrimage is short and fleeting. We are passing through for a purpose to reach a certain destination. There is work to do. Failures to sadden. Victories to gladden. Pleasantries to enjoy. Sufferings to endure. But time is short for either. The pilgrimage will soon end.

Moreover, distance now separates us from many friends and loved ones who have gone on ahead. There are still many fellow pilgrims at our side, but so many others have already made it to the Fatherland.

Accordingly, let us be faithful to the duties involved in the journey. We are passing through this life but once – we shall not pass this way again – therefore we should be true and helpful along the way.

Also, let us be content. It is too much to expect all the comforts and joys here that are to be found over there. As we now face a few hardships, let us remember that in the land beyond we shall rest from our labors and no heart shall ever ache, and no tear shall ever be shed.” ~ Leroy Brownlow

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite the by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Psalm 121

Eileen Light