The Right Time

For, at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven
by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings
and Lord of all lords. ~ 1 Timothy 6:15 NLT

When the pandemic began we imagined we would have to wait a few months for it to be over. It is probably a good thing that few of us realized we would be counting the years instead of the months. If there is one lesson we should be learning, it is how to wait!

Are you getting better at waiting? I confess, and my husband will confirm, that, even though I have gotten better, I can be very impatient.

Since Christ’s birth and death, his people have been waiting for Jesus’ promised return. Though the date is unknown to us, God’s timing for Jesus’ return is perfect. 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

We believe the wait will be worth it.  When our Lord Jesus Christ returns he brings his Kingdom to a totally renewed earth, with no more sickness, sadness, fears or death. We all will see Jesus as he is, a glorious, powerful King who will rule righteously with compassion, power, wisdom, and justice. And we will be like him! I don’t know about you, but when I look at the world around us, I find myself praying more and more, “Come soon, Lord Jesus!”

When Jesus does return, we will discover that how we used this time of waiting really matters. The Holy Spirit is tirelessly giving us opportunities to be built up in humility, peace, patience, perseverance, endurance, kindness, gratitude, goodness, faithfulness and forgiveness. All of those are essential in shaping who we will be for eternity with our heavenly Father. 

Foremost in our present relationship is experiencing and understanding God’s love. Our Father God is always good, faithful and full of grace. Receiving his love and learning who we are in Christ, as redeemed, transformed daughters of Most High God enables us to accomplish the work here on earth prepared for us to do before time began. And recognizing that we are aligning with God’s plans and purposes gives us boundless opportunities to enjoy the waiting.

Dear friends, be blessed with supernatural patience and endurance as you wait for Jesus’ return. May your entire body, soul and spirit rejoice as God strengthens you with more of his truth, love, peace and joy. May you boldly share with others the promises of the future for which we are waiting. May your hope be restored as you ponder the truth that you were designed to spend eternity with Jesus. Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ February 18, 2022