We who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thess. 4:15)

My dream job! A district math interventionist position had come available. I had training and three years’ experience in that field. After I prayed, the Lord allowed me to apply for the job. I sent in my resume and was scheduled for an interview. Later, I was notified I had not been chosen for the position. I didn’t understand and was disappointed when I found out that the person who was selected had fewer qualifications than I.

The Thessalonian Christians may have had some of the same feelings of disappointment and confusion about what would happen if Christ came after their loved ones had died. Paul clearly stated that based on the “Lord’s own word,” those alive at the second coming would not go to meet Christ before those believers who had already died. God had a plan. The dead in Christ would not miss out on anything, and the ones still alive could rest assured in that knowledge.

Although I thought I was missing an opportunity for advancement, God had a better plan. Within two weeks, my assistant principal approached me about being the math interventionist at my school. Later, the Lord revealed the district job would have kept me from fulfilling responsibilities I had in a parachurch organization. In this passage, Paul assured the Thessalonians that God had a plan, for those dead and those alive at his second coming.

Consult the Lord with every decision you make, big or small.

Yolanda Moore is a retired school teacher, a women’s group leader, Bible teacher, and former state co-coordinator for the Christian Motorcyclists Association.

© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.