THE DAY WILL COME
By Jack W. Hayford
I was moved some time ago by the report that during the visit of
Pope John Paul II to Japan, he visited an ailing eighty-three-year-old
Polish friar who has spent more than fifty years helping the poor
and destitute of Japan. Zeno Zebrowski, frail from a heart ailment
and confined to a wheelchair, broke into tears as his polish compatriot
greeted him— kissing Zebrowski’s cheek and grasping the
aged priest’s hand in prayer.
Brother Zeno had been laboring in Japan in the service of the Lord
Jesus for more than fifty years, having arrived there in 1930. He
survived the atomic bomb attack on Nagasaki which climaxed World
War II, and in the confusing period which followed was instrumental
in organizing the bombed out poor into communities developed to
assist in reconstruction.
The Pope, formerly Cardinal Wojtyla and Archbishop of Krakow, Poland,
said, “Zeno, I wanted very much to meet you. I am very grateful
for the great work you have done here.” This greeting followed
the pontiff’s entry into the room with the words, “The
Pope from Poland has come.”
Zeno wept as he received his visitor.
My eyes filled also as I read this report. My heart leaped to think
of the meaning of this visit to the wearied servant whose life has
been given in the service of the Lord.
Yet even as I read of this meeting, I envisioned a similar day...a
grander day.
I thought of people like you and me who are sometimes weary—feeling
alone, unrewarded. Men and women who, in spite of hardship and loneliness,
continue at their post without complaint, faithful in the service
of King Jesus.
And I thought, the day will come when through the doorway of the
heavenlies this One will come again. He will make His announcement:
“The Lord from Glory has come!” And He will take our
hands and greet us with a holy kiss—count on it, Church—and
say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the
joy of your Lord. You have been faithful over a few things, I will
make you ruler over many things.”
Lift up your eyes! And keep your hand fixed to the plow of constant
service. Look! His return is near—even at the door! |
Jack
Hayford Ministries
14800 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91405-2233