"River”

He kicked hard for the river,

And there made a sliding stop,

The people riding with him,

Were part of his life’s crop.

And they had all decided,

With the final weeks and days,

That they would ride there with him,

Their hearts all filled with praise.

The stories of their history,

The buck-offs and the wrecks,

The ones they went and gathered,

And those big circle treks.

The many dark, deep valleys,

And the campfires for a light,

The times when someone whispered,

We’re going to be all right.

The fights with that old devil,

And the times they made him run,

The music and the laughter,

The fellowship and fun.

The preachin’ from the Good Book,

And the Good News that it brings,

The break-through of amazing grace,

And the joyous heart that sings.

And now there at the river,

He hands off his old reins,

Steps into the river,

And shakes off this world’s pains.

He goes out a little deeper,

And those he leaves behind,

Say death has lost its power,

No sting with it we find.

And then something is happening,

He’s changing, don’t you see,

From the old hand that he once was,

To a young man, strong and free.

And then he crosses over,

The riders waiting there,

Hand him the one that’s saddled,

He takes the reins with care.

Steps on his mount so boldly,

Like who he used to be,

But now because of Jesus,

Infused with strength is he.

Waves to his companeros,

Who watch him as he goes,

Adios and hallelujah,

And everybody knows,

He’s gone home to the Savior,

With grass that’s belly deep,

Cattle on a thousand hills,

And water clear and sweet.

To ride with Him forever,

In heaven’s happy place,

To see beyond the sunset,

And the smile on Jesus’ face.

“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better…” (Philippians 1:21, NLT)

When Paul said “to die is gain” he meant it. He knew where he was going was infinitely and eternally better than where he was. When Billy Graham was ninety-three years old he was asked to speak to a group of businessmen but was reluctant because of Parkinsons disease. He went anyway and told the story of Albert Einstein who was taking a trip by train. When the conductor came by, he could not find his ticket, but the conductor said not to worry, they knew who he was. Later, the conductor saw Mr. Einstein on all fours searching for the ticket. The conductor again said there’s no need to look, we know who you are. Mr. Einstein said that he knew who he was, too, but did not know where he was going! Graham then said that he had bought a new suit, not only for the speaking engagement but expected to be buried in it. “When you read that I am gone, please remember that I not only know who I am, I know where I am going!” There is no fear or sting with death for those who have received the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Make sure you know.

Art by Tim Cox, timcox.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Tim, and God bless you.