Morning

I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world.

-John xvii 15

It is a sweet and blessed event which will occur to all believers in God's own time- the going home to be with Jesus... But although Christ prays that His people may eventually be with Him where He is, He does not ask that they may be taken at once away from this world to heaven. He wishes them to stay here. Yet how frequently does the wearied pilgrim put up the prayer, "O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest;" but Christ does not pray like that, He leaves us in the Father's hands, until, like shocks of corn fully ripe, we shall each be gathered into our Master's garden.

Jesus does not plead for our instant removal by death, for to abide in the flesh is needful for others if not profitable for ourselves... Now it is quite right to desire to depart if we can do it in the same spirit that Paul did, because to be with Christ is far better, but the wish to escape from the trouble is a selfish one. Rather let your care and wish be to glorify God by your life here as long as He pleases, even though it be in the midst of toil, and conflict, and suffering, and leave Him to say when "it is enough." 

-C.H. Spurgeon