Early in my walk with Jesus the principle of His being Master of my life became established. The privilige of this relationship.

However after years of pilgrimage under this principle a new realisation dawned on me. I guess it may have come with getting older and also experiencing serious health challenges. I realised that just as Jesus was Lord of the path and activity of my 'Life Seasons' He was also the Lord of when I am called home. Simply the day when my life on earth is finished.

This seemed a perfectly logical extension of His Lordship and rather than being morbid I found it releasing.

A number of years ago I was called to see my Doctor and was given the news that a blood test indicated I had Leukaemia. I was referred to the Wellington hospital Cancer specialists. This was totally unexpected and I was in shock. I walked and walked the significant length of Taranaki Street in response before going to work. In that walk a prayer came to me. It did not occur to me to pray for healing but it was this, "Lord, keep me alive long enough to complete the  work You want me to do". That was it.

More recently there have been operations for bowel cancer (which have been successful!!) and that prayer still stands today. Jesus is Lord of this too.

The subject of our death is not often broached and may perhaps be considered inappropriate by some but Scripture does not hold that view. Rather it is frank, realistic and matter of fact.

In my study of the great people of God in the Bible I have lately given attention to their calling home with some observations as follows:

• David when facing his death used the phrase, 'I am going the way of all men'. That death is the common and sure experience of every pilgrim.
• Elisha was described as having the illness from which he died. David also died from an illness. Age and ill-health can often be the final path for many pilgrims.
• Paul spoke often in his last years of ministry that he was soon to be called home, in his case by martyrdom through execution.
• Jesus spoke frankly and frequently to His disciples about death, and especially His own as it neared. 
• The Psalmist made this statement, 'Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints'. Psalm 116:15

There is much more could be said and I would not want to treat this huge subject tritely or minimize the mystery and often it's pain and grief.  However I do want to highlight the rich truth that every pilgrim has a pathway that finds it's completion with the Lord's call home.

A call which is precious because it is entry to glory, to realisation of the eternal influence of our lives, beyond imagination. To the celebration by the hosts of heaven over one's faithful pilgrimage. This may come as a surprise as we are only too aware of our struggles on the path, but heaven will rejoice at our tenacity, affirm our lives, celebrate our fruit and embrace us with welcome.

Pilgrimage with Jesus culminates with the day of His calling us home, of which He has the wise and loving prerogative.

Every day here lived to the full, and then His call home, not a day early not a day late.

Thank You Lord Jesus Christ, You, the very goal and destination of Pilgrimage!!!