Homecoming Day

August 16, 2026
 
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius
The captain of the boat greeted me and said, “I'm glad to meet you here at the shoreline of the dark river, Styx.  I will be your guide to show you sites unseen, things you have never imagined as we sail to the other side.”  “I'm ready to go,’ came my enthusiastic reply.  ‘I've been looking forward to this, my homecoming day!”
 
I walked aboard and he set the sail toward heaven, my home.  Oh, the beauty that unfolded, my breath taken away.  What I saw was a crystal sea and bordering its shore was a street of gold.  The captain said, “The flashing lights you see are God's glory just ahead.  But stay with me for a little longer until it's your turn to bow at the feet of Jesus.”  What he had earlier promised as I stepped aboard, did not disappoint.
 
The sea was clear as crystal glass.  As we sailed along, floating beside us, were what I thought were chunks of ice, but upon closer vision, they were small white swans.   They were so beautiful as they floated so effortlessly.  Up ahead the boat lingered in front of what was a majestic swan, so big, so white it looked blue.  Occasionally, a little swan would peel off the big swan and float away.  Surrounded by mountain steeples covered in snow with diamonds sparkling in the bright of day.  Steep and rugged grandeur, mighty was their name.  Oh, the beauty, to gaze upon it took my breath away!
 
To think that this is only the opening scene of the opulence of eternity just ahead.  Wait until you see that glory of Jesus face!  Mighty, perfection, what you once saw dimly, now in full view.
  
The captain interrupted my thoughts.  “Time to disembark and walk through those pearly gates up ahead.  There you will be welcomed by Jesus.  He will be the first to greet you.  Be glad you chose this boat while alive, because there is another boat that crosses to another side.  There, that glow that those who chose poorly and see in the distance, is not the glory of God, but the glow of Gehenna, the fire of hell.”
 
If you ever go to Alaska and see icebergs floating by and observe a great glacier, think about my swans.  All the beauty surrounding you will make you think, “I must be at heaven's gate.”
 
God is so beautiful!
Pastor Allan
 
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