"We will rest where the steps of Jesus end at his throne."

Hymn: “Footsteps of Jesus” – Mary B. Slade (1826-1882)
Tune: FOOTSTEPS

In my hometown, they celebrate “Decoration Day,” an annual tradition common to rural areas in some southern states. Many of you who read this will be unfamiliar with the ritual of decorating the graves of the departed, but to many folks, this is a big deal. The hillside in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, where my parents, grandparents and other family saints are buried is at its most colorful on that weekend – adorned with bouquets great and small… real flowers, plastic and silk reproductions. For most, it becomes a reunion day – the only time on the calendar when they come into contact with old friends and family members.

These whose lives are remembered on that first Sunday in June are those who have entered their eternal rest – whose pathways in their earthly life were intent on following the footsteps of Jesus wherever they might have been steered. Their proximity to the feet of Jesus would obviously bring them to sit at his feet as he sits now enthroned.

Many of those who’ve gone on before us into glory had rough, difficult lives, surviving the Great Depression, World Wars, years of un-productive crops and/or dying livestock, factory shut-downs and lay-offs, and so on. They rarely found time to slow down and rest. Most knew nothing of vacations or getting away for a weekend; many had never ventured outside their county or state.

Their pastors may have in their sermons painted glorious pictures of the pearly gates opening into ivory palaces with streets paved with gold; but for most of the bedraggled listeners in the pew, their ears perked up when there was mention of the promised rest. Not only would they meet their loved ones there, but they would actually have time to fellowship with them for extended periods of time without being bothered by animal feedings, seed-planting/harvesting or punching a time clock… or taking care of an extended family’s needs.

Let’s admit it: We, too, look forward to the rest more than we look forward to the architecture.

Either way, it behooves us to follow in the steps of Jesus so that when we arrive at the throne, we’ll recognize his feet – then we can lift our eyes to behold him face to face. We’ll spend time praising him; we’ll catch up with those who got there before us and know their way around. And the rest (remainder) will be rest.

Piano arrangement


Thanks, Barbara Whaley McClure for the photo posted on Facebook.