Tamahana, who was once an idol worshiper, often sat outside his little hut reading God’s Word and looking very happy. And why should he not be happy? God was his Father, the Lord Jesus Christ was his Saviour, and he was able to read God’s Word in his own language.
Tamahana belonged to a native tribe in a faraway heathen land, but the faithful preaching of some of God’s servants had turned his heart to God from idols to serve the living and true God. Then came a time when he was invited to travel with a missionary all the way to England. Tamahana agreed to go and soon left his hut and his village — but not his precious Bible. Lovingly he carried it wherever he went, for, although he had already learned to read and speak English, he still loved his own language best.
Of course there were many things in England which surprised him greatly. One day he was taken to see a very beautiful home. The gentleman was surprised that Tamahana had very little to say. He was led from room to room and shown the magnificent furniture. Still he said nothing for some moments. Then with a wonderful smile, he said, “My Father’s house is finer than this.”
Now the gentleman knew that both Tamahana and his father had lived in a little hut. But he said nothing.
Slowly Tamahana raised his hands and eyes to heaven, and in broken words, but from his very heart, he told of the wonderful home of his Father in heaven. He told with tears of the love of Jesus in leaving that home to come down and die for a sinner like Tamahana. And he told with delight of his joy in waiting for Jesus to call him away to that wonderful home above.
Dear young reader, your home down here may be a hut or a mansion—but you must leave it some day. Where are you going?
ML 06/20/1954