Our ferry to Juneau, Alaska was equipped with stabilizers. Although at times we could see that the ocean was tumultuous, we didn’t feel the waves at all. The cabin we had reserved was far nicer than we had anticipated. It had four nice cots, one of which could be changed into a sofa. It also had a sink and a complete bathroom, including a much-anticipated shower. We slept like babies that night, and we awoke to a pleasant surprise: we would be docking in Juneau four hours early!

Can you imagine enjoying a ferry ride so much that getting in early would make you mad?

“I paid for a 28.5 hours ride and you are short-changing me!”

“How so?”

“I am only allowed to stay on board for 24.5 hours! It is a scam!”

“But you paid for a ride to Juneau and we have arrived to our destination.”

“I don’t care about Juneau. All I care about is getting my money’s worth! You can’t force me to leave before my time is up!”

Would this person be perceived as being reasonable? Would the other passengers join in his cause, insisting on staying on board as well? Probably not. More likely, he would be labelled a “raving lunatic”, and the other passengers would stay away from him!

This scenario is no different than Jesus’ Second coming. Will we welcome Him back with open arms or will we complain that He has returned too soon? How many of us are enjoying this temporary ride on Earth so much that we have forgotten our real destination?

Remember: “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.” (1 Peter 2:11 The Message); and “Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world – wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important – has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out – but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.” (1 John 2:15-17 The Message)

Reality is that when we arrive on this planet, we do so without luggage, and we will leave this world without luggage as well. Why waste our time with worthless frivolities that have no lasting value? “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” (1 Tim 6:7 NIV)

May we learn to value the time we spend with our Savior. Our belongings can be zapped away from us, our friends may fall away and our families may be scattered, or worse, estranged, but Jesus’ love will always be a reality! “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Gal 6:14 NIV)

Have we already arrived at our destination! Great! I am looking forward to riding on crocodiles and romping with lions; but most importantly, I can’t wait to see my best friend Jesus, face to face! Will you join me?

Rob Chaffart