You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. (Mark 13:35)

Read: Numbers 8:1-9:23, Mark 13:14-37, Psalm 50:1-23, Proverbs 10:29-30

Relate: A few years back I was at a training seminar for those who work with college students. I am sure that there was plenty I gleaned from that time and put into practice but I can’t remember exactly what. Over all the years and through all the seminars/teachings/conferences I have been to it all becomes a blur as to what I learned when and where. Everything, that is, except for one statement that a pastor named Lou said right near the beginning of his session. He said, “From the moment I stepped into this office, I began to pray for my successor.” The idea was so shocking, so counter intuitive to the way I thought that it has stuck with me and changed my mindset on ministry and on life from that day forward.

React: What is true for seasons in my life is even more true for its entirety. All too often I get bogged down in the day to day of life and I’m only living from one problem, or task, or crisis to the next. I also tend to be a bit introspective so in my quiet moments I tend to look backwards to my past. Both of these things are OK and have their place. It is good to be mindful of the moment and to be grateful of where God has brought us from, but the greatest driving force in our life should be where we are headed. Without hope, there is no purpose and without vision there is no direction in our life. If that hope and that vision do not look to Christ’s return then we need to set our sights a little higher.

One day He is coming back. I desperately pray that it happens before I finish typing this blog. If not then before I fall asleep. If not then tomorrow. If not… soon. There can be argument or debate as to the particulars of how. Sometimes it is fun to speculate. Pre-trib, post-trib, post-millenial… to be honest it doesn’t much matter. The fact is, He is coming. Soon. Every day that passes brings us one day closer. Keep your chin up. Keep your eyes forward. Live with the end in sight.

Respond: 

Dear Lord,
I know You are coming. Like John I cry out, “Maranatha! Come quickly!” Sometimes I can get so excited for Your return. The thought sends butterflies through my stomach. At other times days seem to go by without the thought ever crossing my mind. Help this to never be. Help me to live with the end in sight. Lord, come quickly. But until You do, help me to remain faithful to You.
Amen