My friend says our lives are like trains. We make various “stops” for school, college, job, marriage, and family. At each stop we spend time with others who have stepped off. When we graduate or change jobs, we say goodbye to the people at that junction and step back onto the train. Only a handful of people stay with us all the way to the end. These are the most important people in our lives, the people who receive most of our time and attention.
I thought of this as I attended my cousin’s funeral. He was a godly man, and his funeral was attended by more than 200 people. This gathering of family, friends, church members, and neighbors represented the significance of his life. It made me think, Look who is with you at the end, and you’ll see what your life meant.
Almost, that is. If that were the only criterion, then Jesus’ life could seem unsatisfactory. Consider who He invited to His Last Supper. A last meal is for those who mean the most, those who stuck with you till the very last stop. Jesus’ guest list included only a handful of people, yet one would deny Him and another would betray Him. No matter. Jesus “had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end” (John 13:1). He noticed their feet were dirty from the dusty streets, so he knelt beside each disciple—including Peter and Judas—and washed and dried their feet. When Peter asked why He was performing the work of a slave, Jesus said He must cleanse everyone who belonged to Him (John 13:6-8).
Consider who will ride with you to the end. Love and serve them well. And know that our faithful God will be with you to the last stop and for all eternity.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 12:1-24
More:
Read Acts 20:16-38 to learn how to love and say goodbye to those who mean the most to you.
Next:
Who do you think will be riding with you to the last stop? How are you showing them the love of God?
Gary Shultz on April 17, 2016 at 6:56 am
Mike, family comprised the welcoming party when I came and family, not the same members, will probably be there when I leave. They are the ones willing to “wash feet”, caregivers of love and commitment. I will wrestle with you a little, the disciples were at the last supper and some were at the cross, but a different group cared and stayed with Jesus at the end. Not that the disciples were not invested, but a rag-tag group of people who had not been scared away who stood with Jesus and wept for Him. I so love that Mary was the first person to see Jesus. We don’t have to be chosen into leadership to love and serve Jesus. Ok, I know you didn’t use that tone, I’m just bringing another view to a good thought. Thanks Mike
Mike Wittmer on April 17, 2016 at 8:29 am
Good point, Gary. We may be surprised at who sticks with us and who doesn’t. And we must love them all while they are with us.
gagirllive on April 17, 2016 at 7:55 am
Love your post today, Mike. There is an element of surprise as to who will be getting on or off our “train ride” at any given time as we make our way through this life. I have a handful of friends and family that are on the journey with me right now, but I know that could all change in an instant for various reasons. How wonderfully comforting it is to know that there is One who will ride this train all the way to glory with me! The last stop will be the best one of all. Thanks, Mike. A blessed Lord’s Day to you.
elegantstarr1 on April 17, 2016 at 10:12 am
Amen
Mike Wittmer on April 17, 2016 at 8:27 am
And happy Lord’s Day to you! This is the day we remember Who is driving our train.
samgaskill on April 17, 2016 at 8:57 am
I will enjoy pondering on this posting today. Thank you. Grateful for the One who rides with me all the way home as gagirl commented. We were birthed into this life and God was there. We left the safety of the womb with His presence…and we will be birthed again for all eternity into new life…again with Gods presence. So thankful Lord I need never feel alone! Thankful for everyone God placed in the middle of the two most important events in any life. God chose each one to help me in this journey. Such a grand concept to ponder. Lord I thank You for them all. And most of all I am grateful that in the presence of one other person, or hundreds that I am never without You. If I am remembered by only one or hundreds You never forget me. You always go before me yet also with me. So goes my pondering today. Have a blessed day dear ones. You too, are sharing in my days, for a season or many and for reasons I don’t need to understand, but count it all as good.
elegantstarr1 on April 17, 2016 at 10:13 am
Amen
elegantstarr1 on April 17, 2016 at 10:23 am
Great post today Mike! To piggyback on what gargirlive and Samgaskill said, I can’t say who will ride with me to the end but I’m grateful to know One, Who sticks closer than a brother, will never leave me nor forsake me: our Rose of Sharon, Mary”s Baby, the Prince of Peace, the I AM…
jim spillane on April 17, 2016 at 2:54 pm
Mike and fellow commenters – a most interesting and thought-provoking devotional today, along with the wonderful forum comments. One statement that Mike made really reached me, “Look who is with you at the end, and you’ll see what your life meant.” All of us at this forum know that there will be One who will be there, because He has promised to always be there with us and for us. To me, that is one of the most comforting promises of all. Through all the ups and downs of working out our own salvation through God “with fear and trembling,” He never left our side. And His hand will be reaching out to us as we take that last breath, so let us cling to Him confidently and humbly as He takes us home.
samgaskill on April 17, 2016 at 4:35 pm
Yes Jim! the most comforting promise ever! His hand reaching out to us day by day, year after year, with us during our first breath and surely present in our last and for all eternity. Nothing can compare. Indeed, so comforting. God bless you!