Before her mom did come to take home, we both would encourage her to gather her belongs, before her mom came back. Sometimes she would accept the encouragement and gather her stuff, but other times, when it was time to go home, she would stall wanting to stay longer, even though a short time before she wanted her mom to come back to take her home. I have seen this countless times from children.
It is a reflection of Christian life at times. We know that Jesus has told us the church He will come back to get his children, just like my cousin's mom knew she would return for my cousin, and take her home.
“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
40“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
42“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
45“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns.48But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 24:37-50 find it here
Most Christians I know fall into two camps including me. Jesus will you come back today or better yet yesterday. This is the group I most often find myself in. The Jesus I don't fit here. Some days not only am I not at home here, sometimes I don't even like it here on earth. I don't like hearing caregivers tell me how tired they are from caring for me. I don't like the fast pace world I am living in. I don't like racism or poverty, or sadness or fill in the blank The next group is Jesus could you tarry a little longer, I'd like to see the kids graduate from college. I'd like to finish painting the house first. I would like to accomplish that bucket list, please Lord. So which group is right? Neither are and both are at the same time. There is nothing wrong with wanting to see your son or daughter graduate or getting married as long as the ultimate goal is to do it primarily as a channel through which Christ is honored and exalted. There is nothing wrong with enjoying and being grateful for gifts God provides, but if that brings you as much or more joy than seeing Jesus, then you are likely missing the point for which you were created. The point is to both a relationship with The Living God and to honor and exalt Him, and sharing with others how they get the point to.
On the flip side, the Jesus come now the group has to be careful to understand God has a reason for all things, and as long as He waits in coming, it serves His purpose to give all the opportunity to turn away from self and to place their trust in Christ. I can't help but wonder if He rightly lingers giving his children the chance to develop a heart like his or to point loved ones and friends to His Son. In seasons of life, I've been in both groups as a believer. A Pastor once told me, you want to be mindful of eternity, but never so mindful you can't be any earthly good. Dr. John Barber.
Remember I wrote we encouraged my cousin to gather her, belongings so she would be ready when it was time to leave and go home? It all comes down to being ready and what motives we have. Getting ready with confidence for eternity may be having that conversation that is awkward. It might mean asking yourself if Jesus were to come back tomorrow, what would you want to do differently? It could mean honestly asking is it Jesus I'm longing to be with or a desire for the hard earthly circumstances to be over? The point, Don't Miss the Maker of Your Sunset as you pursue the sunset the Son of God has prepared for you and for me!
