During the Christmas break, it seemed like everyone—well, maybe not everyone—in the church was talking about it. While I traveled, the church I attended had a pastor who prayed about Christ's coming back soon. When I returned to my normal place of residence, that was one of the first things my pastor mentioned a couple of times. About a week later, I called my friend, and our conversation was also kind of geared toward that direction.
I feel like Christians seldom talk about this subject with eagerness. Maybe it’s not that we’re unhappy. It probably is the feeling of not being ready to welcome the coming of Jesus because of our plans, or sometimes fear exists because we think our ways are not straight.
But this should not be. We should not live in fear while waiting for Christ’s return, nor should we hope he doesn’t come now. We should, in fact, be praying for His return.
Mark 13:32-33, 36 AMPC
But of that day or that hour, not a [single] person knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on your guard [constantly alert], and watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come. [Watch, I say] lest He come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep.
What should we be doing now?
What about looking forward gladly and trusting His will to be done?
Like the verses above, we should remain watchful, sensitive, and in love, eagerly yet patiently awaiting the return of our King and Groom.
It should fill us with excitement and joy, just like we’re eager to see the love of our lives. If He’s truly the Savior of our lives, His return should be what we remain expectant for.
In addition, so many things on earth try to get our attention, but we need to ask God for help to focus on Him and not be distracted. This is a call to retrace our steps to Christ if we have gone off the path. And a call to be steadfast and humble and remain on the path.
Hebrews 12:1-2a AMPC
THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
Additionally, Isaiah 55:6 tells us what we should be doing now. While we are here, we should be actively waiting for Jesus’ return by seeking the face of God and seeing every new day as an opportunity to draw closer to Him
Isaiah 55:6 NKJV
Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
Today, I conclude with the words of the Preacher:
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NKJV
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
And I would say again that this is not to plant fear in our hearts. When we talk about the coming of Christ, we should not get all worried and worked up. Rather, we should look forward to it with eagerness, longing, and warmth in our hearts—something we are always preparing for and patiently waiting for.
Let’s be like the five wise virgins who were fully prepared for the coming. And for us to be fully prepared, it means we have to make an intentional decision to choose God each and every day of our lives. I pray that we are prepared and that we continually remain in right standing when Christ comes.
PRAYER: I pray that we are prepared and in the right standing when Christ comes. We won’t be found wanting on His return, and God will help us remain faithful, watchful, and prayerful from now until then. Amen.
#keepinghopealive #hopealive #Christalive #Christinme #maranatha #gbenrocomfort
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