Awaiting His Return

When my daughters were little girls, they attended an after- school daycare program until I got off work. They understood that my husband and I had to go to work each morning, but that I would return at the end of the day to take them home with me. While their father and I were away working all day, they spent their day in school working, and growing in knowledge to prepare for life ahead. Years later, my daughters told me that as they waited for my return each day, they would listen for the jingle of my keys to know that I had come to pick them up. Like any parent, this tender story warmed my heart to hear that my little girls were excited, eagerly listening and awaiting my return each day!

As Christians, Jesus has promised to return for us someday! Scripture tells us that after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, He told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them but He would come again. However, He left work and instructions for them and us to do while He is away. He said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you”, Matthew 28:19. Then Jesus returned to heaven to be with His Father.

So, how are you working to fulfill God’s command until He returns? How are you using your gifts He has given you? No one is too young or too old to fulfill God’s plans he has set for them. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Who are you telling about the Lord’s return? Many people don’t know Jesus and some are not interested in knowing Him. One young man when asked if he had a relationship with Jesus replied, “I have better things to do than getting to know Jesus”. God loves everyone so much that His desire is that no one would perish, but that all would repent and be saved, 2 Peter 3:9.

Finally, how are you waiting? Are you excited and eagerly listening like two little girls, listening for mom’s jingling keys? Sadly, there are some people who believe that they have plenty of time. But, Matthew 24:36, says no one knows the day of Jesus’ return, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, only the Father knows. Scripture says, For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever, 1 Thess. 4:16-17. The bible says that this will all happen in a twinkling of an eye, 1 Corinthians 15:52!

Food for Today:

Revelation 22:12

Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

Cover photo of author's daughters as children courtesy of author