It seems so long ago that we rejoiced with the coming of Springtime and of Easter and their promise of a new world and a new life.
The poem entitled "Requiem" by Robert Louis Stevenson captures this "New World" with these words:
"Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
and the hunter home from the hills."
As the announcement was made of no further expectd survivors from those bombed buildings, the new home promised by God becomes so very appropriate. And it awakens within us as well the concept of the wonderful home promised – someday.
We see that sailor whose home has been the sea for most of his life, leave the sea at the end of his life and go to another place that he may joyously call home.
And the hunter, who has called the plains and the hills his home, also leaves them and steps into another world that is new and wonderful!
Can we relate to Mr. Stevenson, and can we visualize the culmination of our own precious lives? And may we feel secure, looking towards the day when we, also, shall walk into a new and glorious home?
Just as Springtime has brought new buds to the trees and followed with the leaves of Summer, so God has determined it will be with us!
Those of us who have read john Bunyon’s book "Pilgrim’s Progress" remember the wonderful ending. In the book, the principal character, named "Christian," after a full and exciting life, comes at last to a river. In the distance, on the other side, he sees a wonderful golden city. He steps down into the water and can faintly be seen rising up on the other side.
The story suggests that we too shall someday come to that broad stream and that we too shall rise up out of the water just as the sailor, and we shall be:
"Home as the sailor, home from the sea,
and the hunter, home from the hills!"