I'd Rather Have My Jesus
...Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20
I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I'd rather be His than have riches untold. I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land; I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand-- Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin's dread sway! I'd rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today! I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause; I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause. I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame; I'd rather be true to His dear name. Words by Mrs. Rhea F. Miller Melody by George Beverly Shea
My mother was one of the most thrifty people I've ever known. She had to be. When Daddy died, she was left with many debts--those he and she owed others, and those others owed her and Daddy. While those who owed her and Daddy never showed up, she was committed to keeping her obligations to others. It's said that "Little is much when God is in it"; Mama was left with very little, but she came through it all. She had Jesus, you see. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27. Mama and Daddy both worked very hard for what they had. Married almost 44 years when Daddy died, Mama had always been a good steward of that which they had accumulated. If she threw anything away it was because there was no possible further use for it. Five years after his death, I stood and watched as fire destroyed their home. All those years of accumulated memories--pictures, souvenirs from places Daddy had worked all over the United States, things their parents had given them in their early years, all Mama's potted plants that she so lovingly tended. Mama, herself, made the comment several times when asked how she was doing, "Well, we're back to just Jesus and me." Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28,29. Late summer of 1984, Mama began to lose more and more weight, but resisted all my urgings to see her doctor. In early October of that year, I walked in and declared that I was taking her to her doctor. She did not protest. And never again did Mama comment on that which she owned. Not one time did she mention her house, her land, her money. When I'd ask, "Mama, what do you want done about........?" she'd answer, "Whatever you think, Sissy." And then she'd lapse back into her "no-longer-of-this-world" state: barely here, almost there. You see, her mind was no longer on the things of this world. She no longer cared about those things she would be leaving behind. Keyword: behind. They could not purchase more time for her: heaven was calling and she had to go. And the good news was, with all she was leaving behind, there was One Who was present Who could cross that vale with her. All else of this world would be left, but she had her Jesus with her every step of that transition. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest... Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:9-16. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord... that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Revelation 14:13. Without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we will never be content. If all our hopes and dreams are pinned on those things that we possess, nothing is left when thieves break in and wrest them from us, or when fire, wind or flood wipe them out. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21. Sometimes, it's not the destruction of our material possessions that knocks the wind out of us: it's the rejection by those we thought we knew--those we thought loved us as we love them. When the night hours get long, when the days are spent alone, it hurts. We rush to the phone, anticipating it is them calling in response to the message we left, but no, it's a stranger's voice wanting to sell us something. When that call never comes, when that visit never materializes, when the letters go unanswered, Jesus knows. He is the Great Physician: Healer of body, mind and spirit. He can change people's hearts. He not only wants to comfort and care for us, but He can restore, according to His Will for us, that which has been taken from us. I will...bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick… Ezekiel 34:16. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me... Psalm 138:7,8. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1. Ah yes, I'd rather have my Jesus than anything this old world has to offer. When the lights go down, when the music fades, when those once about us are gone--Jesus never leaves us. Still having a problem finding a gift for that "someone who has everything"? Do they know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior? There can be no greater gift you could give them than to make the introductions. Tell them about your Jesus: the One Who has done so much for you. (all emphasis on scriptures, such as bold, underline or uppercase, is mine) "I'd Rather Have My Jesus" Copyright © 2000 by Patricia Sikes. All rights reserved.
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