Homesick

The song Hosanna has really been imprinted in my mind. It could be because during the last week, Spiritual Emphasis Week, at school, we have sung it everyday. I have been struck by a different line each day. The most recent "as I walk from earth into eternity". This little phrase penetrated deep places for me and filled me with extreme homesickness.

As a missionary kid, homesickness is a familiar feeling. I feel restless all the time. I feel unsettled, homesick. This often makes me look up job openings or missions trips all over the world. This week though it made me pray that God would come and get me soon, so that He can take me to the place where I will never feel homesick again.

Immediately my mind went to Philippians 1:

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me." 

I long for heaven with every fiber of my being. But I was soon reminded I have work to do, it is necessary for me to remain in the body. This was made clear yesterday when our final day of Spiritual Emphasis Week, a simple invitation "Some of you have needed to make decisions, and haven't. This is your time," drove a ton of kids out of their seats and to any available adult to be prayed for. I was surrounded by middle schoolers, two of which gave their lives to Jesus. 

I was in awe that God would use me, but then His gentle reminder came. " I still have work for you to do," stayed the homesickness for a little while.