Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. (James 5:7)
MY THREE-YEAR-OLD SON is packing his small bag for a long trip. He has all the essentials: his favorite dinosaur book and a ball. He’s been asking for months now when he’ll get to visit his grandparents, who live a good distance away. Every time we tell him he has to wait a little longer, he becomes frustrated. He wrinkles up his face and sometimes stomps his foot. In an exasperated voice he says, “It’s taking too long!”
That poor guy is having a tough time. Although the trip is now only two weeks away, it could be two decades as far as he knows. The anticipation is making it all the harder because he instinctively knows that he’ll have more fun there than he’s having now. The hardest waits are those you can’t mark on a calendar. Waiting for Jesus is that kind of wait.
God’s children, like my little guy, struggle with patience. Things are hard in life. We struggle to do the right thing in a world that often is anything but right. We know that Jesus is coming back for us but, in our minds, “It’s taking too long!” We’re ready to go to be with Him for good, but it’s not quite time yet. Rest assured, though, He’s coming soon and that is a reason for incredible hope.
Reflect on why Jesus’ imminent return is something to be excited about.
Neal Eckert lives in Michigan with his loving wife and seven young children. He staff writes full-time for a hunting and fishing organization.
© 2018 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
