On the Shores of Eternity

[A tribute to Mom]

I stand here on the banks of the River. On the precipice of Eternity. 

For weeks I have come closer and closer gradually to these troubled waters. On the other bank of this river is a land of green pasture. A land of unending peace and indescribable joy. 

I look across the River and see the gladness and goodness which fill that wonderful country. Only a taste, only a glimpse, but it is beautiful beyond description. 

And yet I cannot get there except I pass through the water. The water is cold. Ice cold. It churns and rolls with danger and pain. There is no boat, no bridge, no help to grant me crossing. I must simply swim, tread, wade, or walk. And it hurts to touch the water. I am afraid of the River. 

Yet the Country I see across the way… calls me. It is my true home. It is where I belong. It is the dwelling place of eternal serenity, which I will enjoy until I forget that Time was ever something that existed. 

The One who loves me most is there. He who has given up the most for me.  All so that I could have Him as my friend. So I could enter His kingdom. 

He stands upon this shore, beckoning, promising that he will go with me through the River. He will take me across, with a guarantee that He will never abandon me to the waves. He will ensure the current cannot take me away, but that I will most certainly reach the other shore. 

I know His promises are sure. They are fixed and absolute. I know that I can trust Him to get me across to the other side. 

I look across the river to the other shore. Just on the other side is glory. On the other side is peace and tranquility. No wars, no suffering, no sorrow of any kind. On the other shore is true life. Surely that blessed land is worth a short trip through the icy waters. 

Others have taken this plunge into deep water before me. They have crossed the River, and I’m sure they are enjoying the other shore in the presence of the One that loves them most. They’re waving at me and beckoning me to come. 

I will cross the River. I will pass over to the other side, no matter the danger or the suffering. After all, I won’t have to do it alone. 

The One that loves me most will go with me. I will never be alone. 

12/10/2023 – Jarod Hinton