A family prepares for a road trip on a rather warm and sunny day. The bags are packed, the children secured, the map obtained, and the engine engaged to embark on a particularly monotonous venture that each person hopes will lead to a wonderful destination which will make up for the boring trip itself. Minutes turn into hours as once peacefully sleeping children stir and begin to fidget. What initially served as a rewarding change of scenery begins to look more like a glorified collection of cornfields on an indefinite loop. Patience is tested as blazing hot sunlight uncovers a collective irritability. Finally, the proverbial needle to break one very cranky camel's back is issued with the words "are we there yet?"
This life is a journey that can at times seem very similar to that of the previous example. We spend time preparing for heaven, gathering all the things we believe we will need to reach our destination. We join with our family to head towards the wonderful home that we know, deep down, is worth whatever it takes for us to get there. We set off, overwhelmed with joy rooted both in faith of God's promise and the testimonies of those who have gone before, and also in the hope of an indescribable reward. But days turn into weeks, and weeks into years, and slowly our joy dims. Our once new and wonderful view of life fades as we deal with the pains of grief, trials, and persecution. The routines and practices of daily life wear on our patience as we lose track of time and progress. And we as God's occasionally restless children muster the energy to cry out, "O Lord, how long?"
Why aren’t we there yet?
Do you ever find yourself asking this or a similar question? "If the end is near and Jesus is truly coming again, why hasn't He yet returned?" I believe this question can be asked honestly, but the answer (like any truth) is one that requires a humble and spiritual attitude to be well received.
When considering the end of this earthly life, let us keep in mind that God is in control and that He sees the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:8-11) Let us not forget that God never lies. (Titus 1:1-3) Let us consider the fact that God has already designated a time for our Lord to return, and that God's guarantee of our resurrection with Him was confirmed by His raising of Jesus Himself from the dead. (Acts 17:30-31) Just as God did not leave Jesus in hades, He will not fail to deliver us from the pains of this broken world. (Acts 2:29-32; 1 Corinthians 15:50-57) The fact remains, though, that while God cares about you and I individually, His love extends to all men. (John 3:16-17) It is God’s patience that we count as salvation. (2 Peter 3:15) The same grace and mercy we enjoy is available to all, and we as God's children ought to desire the salvation of all whose hearts are right, as God does. While we eagerly await our Savior's return, let us resolve to actively address weariness in this life by doing the work of bringing others to Christ through our words and actions, while there is still time. (Matthew 5:14-16) Let us remember that Jesus identified the “faithful and wise servant” as the one who continued working, trusting that the master would return. (Matthew 24:45-51) And while we work, let us remember that our labor is meaningful!
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV)