Departure at Hand

I just returned from serving an 18 month mission for my church. While a missionary, I didn't have to worry about silly things like paying bills, enrolling in college classes, doing homework, dating, and many other various activities that an average 21 year old might stress out about.

Sure, I gained a lot of life experience dealing with such a variety of people, but for some reason, many returned missionaries struggle with the transition. Perhaps it is the sudden lack of a schedule, the awkwardness of dating, wanting to pray every time you are about to visit a friend, or the change in responsibility. Whatever it is, it is a common occurrence.

As I prepared to go home, I thought of who I had become over the last two years. Who would I be when I went home? Did I really do my best? Would I struggle with the changes? Was I really ready?

I am a big advocate for self-evaluation, so I took the questions to heart and started writing. This is what I came up with.

Departure at Hand

Is it really my time?

Oh Lord, must I go?

At the end of the road,

Do my efforts now show?

Did I labor with all

My heart and my might?

Or was I distracted

And lost out on light?

Did I keep all my cov'nants

Or just see the rules?

Did I trust in thy wisdom

Or seek to please fools?

Did I trust in my Savior;

Did I truly become?

When I struggled within

To His feet did I run?

Did I make my Lord proud?

When I see him again

Will I praise Him aloud

Or hide shameful in sin?

Now I look back and see

Through the course of my days

He saved my poor soul

In a number of ways.

No words can express

The thoughts of my heart.

He whispers to me,

"You've finished your part."

There's really no ending;

It's time to move forward

To another beginning.

Just keep looking onward.

Yes, I'm ready to go.

My departure is near

And the love of my Lord

Erases all fear.

I have fought a good fight

While my Lord kept me safe.

I have finished my course;

I have kept strong the faith.

See 2 Timothy 4:6-7