2 Corinthians 5:8 – Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. (NLT)

Revelation 14:13 – And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!" (NLT)

"Red" was the horse we used at the rodeos to run in competition racing. Once the race was over and he left the track, he behaved himself, going down the main street of our small town. But as soon as the west road appeared, it took all my strength to hold him, because he was going home.

It required me to stand up in the stirrups and pull back on the reins, sea-sawing his bit, to hold him back.

He had run the race. He had done what was expected of him and was excited to go home.

He was going home where he could get the burden of the saddle and girth off, plus the restraint of the bridle and the martingale, that prevented him from throwing his head. His reward was rolling and roaming in the bluegrass.

2 Timothy 4:7 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (NIV)

How much our lives are like Red's. We run the race, we do what God expects of us with our talents and gifts, knowing that, in the end, our reward will be abandoning our trials and saddle bags of burdens, and dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we take heart in Your words of assurance that You have gone to prepare a place for us, a better place than we have known on earth, free of worry and trials. Amen.

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