Wish You Were Here :: Deeper Devotion

By Jeff Fields

1 Thessalonians 4:18
Therefore comfort one another with these words.

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell, blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail? A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

And did they get you to trade your heroes for ghosts? Hot ashes for trees?

Hot air for a cool breeze? Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year,
Running over the same old ground. What have you found? The same old fears.
Wish you were here.
(Pink Floyd 1975)

When I listen to this song, I think of my brother. Tony has been with Jesus for a long time now. His daughter turned 15 the other day. She looks just like him… but much prettier. Life has gone on with out him, but he has not been forgotten. No, he does not look down on me and comfort me when times are tough. He has better things to do. Namely, spending time at the throne. I miss him.

But memories of him still bring a smile to my face. I am comforted when I think of him. I would love to see him. Talk to him about what heaven is like. Ask him to describe what it’s like to be around the throne in true worship. The loss is great, but the comfort is greater. The comfort does not come from a song, although it reminds me of our time as brothers. The comfort comes from Scripture.

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thess 4:17)

All situations great and small pale in comparison to “always being with the Lord.” Loss, struggles, pain, frustration, and what ever else we deal with all fade away when held up to the promise of that one thing… being with the Lord. Each day we get to practice that: Walking with Him, talking with Him, enjoying Him, loving Him, basking in the beauty that is our God.

I long for the day when we will “always be with the Lord.” But the truth is I so enjoy Him now. Each morning we feast together at His table. Funny thing about the Lord’s table… I have never left hungry. Each night I slumber in His hands. Daily he blesses, corrects, rebukes, comforts, ministers to, and just loves me. My God, so full of grace, mercy, wrath, greatness, wonder, personality, unpredictability, can’t be bound, undeniable, unstoppable, totally worthy, totally full of greatness…walks this earth with me daily. I tremble in His presence, yet I am consumed by who He is.

What lies around the corner? Hope.

What’s coming next week? Hope.
Relying on the truths of Scripture to comfort, help, give strength, and show the direction.

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