JOYFULLY EXPECTANT!

“When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”
John 14:3 NLT

Did you wake up with the happy thought, “This could be the day that Christ returns?!”  If you are like most of us, probably not.  Just a few decades ago, most Christian churches taught and lived as though Jesus’ return was eminent.  It could happen any moment.  They greeted each other with, “Perhaps today!”

As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s resurrection, it would be wise to consider what he promised his followers on several occasions, that he would return to get them soon and bring them to where he would be. He warned that no one would be able to predict the time or day when he would come suddenly and unexpectedly, “as a thief.”

There will be no signs of warning. In 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Paul describes the time of Christ’s return, “When everyone is saying, ‘Everything is peaceful and secure!’ then disaster will fall on them unexpectedly…” He continues later in the passage to warn his people to stay alert and clear headed, and not to be asleep like those who live in the dark. 

We are children of the light.  We have nothing to fear in Christ’s returning, and everything for which to be joyfully expectant.  At his return, both the dead and the living in Christ will be caught up to live with him forever.  Just imagine the party we will have with those who have gone ahead of us!  All of us will be with Jesus forever in Heaven where our new bodies will never age. There will be no sickness, sadness, pain or fear. We will be washed continually in the presence of our God, eternally known, loved and secure.  That should make us excited!

May I ask you, how real is Jesus’ returning to you?  Why not ask God to grow your faith in that area and make it real, so that you can remain awake and alert and joyfully expecting his coming at any moment to return you to the very place you were created for? 

Let’s wake up tomorrow and think,“Maybe today!”  Let’s be ready and encourage each other with this truth.

Pray with me: Father God, forgive me for allowing this world to dull my belief in your promise to return soon.  Holy Spirit, multiply my faith in this area.  I want to be ready today and every day for Christ’s return.  May I learn to encourage others with the truth of our soon return to our real eternal home.  May it be today!  In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.

Dear friend, may you awaken each morning filled with the joyful anticipation of Christ’s return. May your gratitude grow as you ponder this truth.  Be blessed to stay awake, alert and clear minded as you wait.  You are loved, safe, and known, and your Father is not done with you yet!  You have eternity to find out what he has planned.  Amen.
Mary Sumner
April 6, 2019