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經文：「我們原知道，我們這地上的帳棚若拆毀了，必得神所造，不是人手所造，在天上永存的房屋。」（林後5:1） 我寄居了多年的屋子已經破舊不堪，屋主也已通知不願再花錢來整修，只勸我最好安排遷居。我聽到這個消息，起初感覺很不好。因為這屋子所在的環境很是有趣，如果不是因為屋子太過破舊，我實在不想搬離。但是如今一陣微風就夠叫它搖晃顫動，所以我不能不預備搬家了。 說也奇怪，我的興趣很快就轉移到未來的新居上。我參考地圖，調查居民，拜託朋友到那裡去視察。朋友回來告訴我，那邊的情形非常美好；他因為要在那裡投資的緣故，情願變賣這裡所有的好搬過去。雖然有人說他的犧牲太多，他還是樂意去做。我還有另一位親愛的朋友，現在也在那處新地。他托人帶來最美味的水果給我，我嚐了以後，就覺得我現居地的水果，簡直乏味極了。 我現在眞是渴望立刻搬到那裡，和那些朋友一起唱詩讚美被殺的羔羊。有許多朋友已經先我搬到那邊，他們前去的時候，臉上都是帶著微笑。現在如果有人勸我在這裡投資，我就會回答說：「我已經預備搬家了。 」--選 主耶穌在升天前的最後幾天，常常說起「往父那裡去」（約 16:17 ）。我們此刻也該在今生的困難與失望之外，看見將來的「往父那裡去」。雖然將來的家究竟如何，我們現在還不清楚，但是有兩點很清楚的是：那裡就是我們的家與「父的家」（約14:2），並且它是主所在的地方。光是這兩點，那就已經夠我們渴慕了。--吉利 R. C. Gillie 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
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Scripture: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor.5:1). The owner of the tenement which I have occupied for many years has given notice that he will furnish but little or nothing more for repairs. I am advised to be ready to move. At first this was not a very welcome notice. The surroundings here are in many respects very pleasant, and were it not for the evidence of decay, I should consider the house good enough. But even a light wind causes it to tremble and totter, and all the braces are not sufficient to make it secure. So I am getting ready to move. It is strange how quickly one's interest is transferred to the prospective home. I have been consulting maps of the new country and reading descriptions of its inhabitants. One who visited it has returned, and from him I learn that it is beautiful beyond description; language breaks down in attempting to tell of what he heard while there. He says that, in order to make an investment there, he has suffered the loss of all things that he owned here, and even rejoices in what others would call making a sacrifice. Another, whose love to me has been proven by the greatest possible test, is now there. He has sent me several clusters of the most delicious fruits. After tasting them, all food here seems insipid. Two or three times I have been down by the border of the river that forms the boundary, and have wished myself among the company of those who were singing praises to the King on the other side. Many of my friends have moved there. Before leaving they spoke of my coming later. I have seen the smile upon their faces as they passed out of sight. Often I am asked to make some new investments here, but my answer in every case is, "I am getting ready to move." --Selected The words often on Jesus' lips in His last days express vividly the idea, "going to the Father." We, too, who are Christ's people, have vision of something beyond the difficulties and disappointments of this life. We are journeying towards fulfillment, completion, expansion of life. We, too, are "going to the Father." Much is dim concerning our home-country, but two things are clear. It is home, "the Father's House." It is the nearer presence of the Lord. We are all wayfarers, but the believer knows it and accepts it. He is a traveller, not a settler. --R. C. Gillie ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
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