“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17

He’s logged a lot of miles.

Our little boy Jacob is 3 1/2 years old, and he’s already traveled over 100,000 miles by automobile.

Seems like we’re on the road all the time. Whether it’s ministry, business or personal travel, we spend a lot of time traveling from here to there.

Now, Jacob is a VERY GOOD traveler. He seldom complains about the long hours in the vehicle. He enjoys learning with his Leap Pad and spending time looking at his wide assortment of books.

But, even as experienced and familiar Jacob is with traveling, and even as well-mannered as he is in the vehicle, even Jacob has his times when he doesn’t enjoy the trip.

There are times when he gets tired.

After a while, the road can get very wearisome. It tires Jacob out, even with frequent stops and rests. Physically, mentally and even emotionally, being on the road can take its toll. He can’t wait to get to the “hotel” or “granny’s house” or any place where he can stretch his legs and regain his energy.

There are times when he gets frustrated.

Sometimes even the shortest of trips can seem like they are taking forever. Jacob at times wants to get to the place we are headed so he can do whatever it is that is awaiting him. He gets impatient, wanting to get to “granny’s” or “the swimming pool” or “Chuck E. Cheese’s” or wherever we are headed.

There are times when he gets lonely.

Even though mommy and daddy are in the front seat, Jacob loves to play with other children his own age, and even Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and other “older” folk that he doesn’t get to see everyday. So, he gets lonely on the road at times, longing to get to the “campsite” or “birthday party” or “church” or any other place where he can spend time with others.

You know. On those relatively rare occasions when Jacob gets tired, frustrated or lonely, there is one reminder that always seems to immediately change his disposition.

And that is the reminder that we’re “almost there.”

Nothing seems to energize him as much as those powerful words, we’re “almost there.”

If Jacob is tired and we begin drawing near our destination, we tell him, we’re “almost there.” And he has renewed strength and usually starts bouncing off the walls with energy.

If Jacob is frustrated and impatient, and our end is in sight, we excitedly remind him, we’re “almost there.” And suddenly the wait doesn’t seem so bad anymore, and new hope dances in his eyes.

If Jacob is lonely, and it’s not long until we are going to get to where we are headed, we tell him, we’re “almost there.” And it’s amazing how quickly he perks up, as if he can actually envision the time he is going to have playing with others.

You know, I admit that there are times I get tired too. Not just on the road from here to there, but on the spiritual road that leads to heaven.

I get tired.

I get frustrated.

I get lonely.

And, you know, when I get to feeling like that, I can almost sense God calling down from heaven, whispering to my heart.

“Almost there.”

My tired and weary soul suddenly springs to life with energy and renewed strength. My frustrated, impatient spirit suddenly gives way to a feeling of contentment, and the bad doesn’t seem so bad anymore. My lonely heart suddenly perks up and folks, I can just envision the time I’m going to have there with my Savior and others!

Christian, maybe this morning you’re tired. Maybe you’re frustrated. Maybe you’re lonely.

Don’t give up! Someday that trump is going to sound and Jesus Christ is going to call us home to be with him in heaven forever!

It won’t be long until He comes.

The road gets long sometimes, so if you’re tired, or frustrated, or lonely, get still before the Lord. And listen closely. You’ll hear Him whisper to your heart.

.”Almost there.”

Jimmy D. Brown support@Living4Jesus.com