Daily Devotion

“Do not grieve for my deteriorating health. For a Christian, death is merely a door, and on the other side lies the Lord we have longed for all our lives. I have received so much grace in my life to have accompanied the Chinese church on such a long journey. I am now like a child who has completed a long journey, eager to return to the Father's house and rest in His embrace.”

Lei Yongming · The Collected Letters of Father Lei Yongming

Scripture

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that while we dwell in the body we are separated from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by our eyes. Our confidence comes from our desire to leave the body and dwell with the Lord.

Reflection

Father Ray viewed death as "a child returning home," a serenity stemming from his unconditional longing for God. In contrast, we often suffer anxiety due to physical weakness or worldly gains and losses. Paul reminds us that living in the flesh is to distance ourselves from the Lord, while leaving the flesh is to dwell with Him. The ultimate bliss of faith is not earthly freedom from sickness and calamity, but the day we can rest peacefully in the Father's embrace. Today, let us set aside our attachment to the long journey of worldly life and turn our gaze to the door leading to eternity and true life, living out the hope of returning home during our sojourn.