Review of "The Journey Home"

The Journey Home

(Finishing with Joy)

by Bill Bright

Reviewed by: Pat Beaty

            “Every person follows someone,” and Bill Bright followed Jesus Christ.  He loved Jesus and Jesus loved him.  In his final book, He summarizes a life of faithful service to our Lord, and attempts to outline what a Christian’s life should be…even to his death.  He admonishes the reader to “please don’t take the next step, much less the last mile, without Him in your heart.”  He states it was his joy to spend “fifty eight years helping people to experience and live well the abundant life in Jesus Christ.”  He states that, “seeing difficulty through the eyes of God is the only way I can comprehend anyone coping sensibly with death and dying.”

            Dr. Bright quotes liberally from the Scriptures as he talks about his feelings regarding his career on earth with Campus Crusade for Christ and his expectations of the joy in the world to come.  The author encourages the Christian reader to listen to the Holy Spirit and understand that it is our duty to help fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus to make disciples of all nations.

            The writer uses the words of many great servants of God, as well as the verses of several of his favorite hymns, to underscore some of the points he makes, and he highlights many of the aspects and emotions of “passing on” by use of scripture in referring to the last days of several Biblical “greats”.

            One of the most heartening aspects this edifying and moving work is that the author plainly wants the reader to benefit from his experience and what he has gleaned from the Bible in regard to how the believer should approach and anticipate his own “Journey Home.”  Dr. Bright even describes the practical actions one should take in regard to family, property, and other “earthly” matters.

            Finally, although this entire work is, without question, very worthwhile for any servant of Christ to read, and I whole-heartedly recommend it, it is felt by this reviewer that the most striking and engrossing section is to be found in the chapter: “God’s Purposes in Suffering.”  As you examine each paragraph that begins with the simple, “Why God”, you will be moved to the same conclusion that I was – because He loves me.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

June 10, 2011