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Each Wednesday night in our 3 week trip to the Bahamas, I preached at the evening service from our home church in Palmetto Point. On the 2nd Wednesday (the only Wednesday that Emily and Sadie were on the island), instead of gathering in the sanctuary like normal, we met in the fellowship hall. The unique thing about the fellowship hall isn’t found in the preaching or teaching, its found in the singing. It was such a blessing to sing those old mid-week service songs with the bright echo of the block walls and tiled floor without any piano accompaniment – just voices.
One of the songs we sang was the traditional “We’re marching to Zion.” During our brief visit back to our old “home” on Eleuthera I was stuck with the reality of the words to this song. In a very real way, the followers of Jesus Christ are “marching to Zion,” perhaps not in a physical manner, but rather spiritually. We are progressing together and passing difficulties along the journey. We support one another along the way, and some “march” alongside for a while and then leave, while others remain. The passage through this world isn’t always easy, but its just passing through.
Listen what Paul writes in Philippians 3: “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:17-21)
And to Peter: “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:11-12)
While we served on the island, we sought to use every opportunity every advantage, every moment to further the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. Now that we no longer live in that world, I realize that we’re still on our journey, but that ministry is always nested in transience.
As a parting thought consider this, you aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, so make the most of today. I will leave you with Paul’s words: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)