Jesus has promised to return, but as to the time and date, it’s under wraps; he says only the Father knows when he’ll return (Mk. 13:32). In fact, the apostle Paul quotes Jesus directly when he refers to the Second Coming as a “thief in the night” (1 Thess. 5:2; Mt. 24:43). His point, everyone knows they’re always vulnerable to a thief, but no one really believes they’ll be robbed this night. Jesus’ return is immanent, but how many people really believe Jesus might come today?
This past week I discovered an insight, an epiphany, into Christ’s Second Coming I’ve never realized. It came on Tuesday afternoon when the moving company contacted me to tell me they were about an hour out, and over the course of the next twenty-four hours, I reflected on the truths of Christ’s Return.
First, Ready or Not, Here He Comes! Cile and I had seven months to pack up the parsonage and be ready for the moving company. I had resigned my position with the church in Elkton, Kentucky in November, and the elders were good to their word to allow me to continue preaching through the end of May. By March, we knew Minford, Ohio area was our destination. However, it’s hard to pack for the future when you’re still living in the present.
As the end of May came ever closer, our packing increased, but never quickly enough. When the movers arrived, all I could think was, “we wanted to be further along than this.” Our goal was to be completely packed on their arrival, but we were still putting stuff in boxes, and while they were loading, we were packing and cleaning the house. It was clearly a Day of Reckoning, and we weren’t ready.
I can’t help but think of so many people who believe the Second Coming of Christ is immanent, but on that day, will still be unprepared. They may have had an entire lifetime to get ready for Christ, but when the moment he comes, they’ll say, “I needed more time.”
Secondly, Success Came with a Little Help From My Friends. We’re never islands in and of ourselves, but are interconnected with one another. Rich Mullins once said, “We are not as strong as we think we are,” and truth be told, we’re not. We need those good friends around us to strengthen our weaknesses.
While Cile and I were trying to get our packing completed, we were feeling overwhelmed by the process. We needed help. We needed support. We needed to vent. Along came Bobby and Anna Jo who stepped in to help us pack, to carry off trash, to calm us with reassuring words, and to cry on their shoulders. The day before we left, Bettye delivered a bag of her famous white chocolate laced popcorn with M&M’s, knowing we needed something good to eat for the journey. On the day we moved, Carolyn arrived to collect items for an auction. She grabbed a broom and began helping us clean the house. Without the help of our friends, the move would have been much harder, and taken that much longer.
The Christian faith was never intended as a solo, but an ensemble. The New Testament has over one hundred “one another” statements that include forgiving, sharing, encouraging, loving, and practicing hospitality. If anything, Scripture is teaching us that we are stronger in our faith when we’re in a group than when we’re all alone. And the vast majority of us will fare better connected to those around us, than going on our own. I may have to stand on the Day of Judgement to account for my own actions, but my entrance into heaven will come because of my friends who helped me get there.
Finally, the Welcoming Great Cloud of Witnesses. Even before we were moved, Sunshine Church was already welcoming us. A month ago Jon Coriell invited us to spend Sunday lunch with his family, only for a greater lunch plan to emerge with the whole church. Greg Shepherd wanted me to put an order in for the flavor of homemade ice cream. Shaun McCray made sure all logistical moving details were covered on his end, and has been insuring that the house is ready for us to move into, and helped secure an air mattress for Cile and me to sleep on our first night. Tom Kelly called to see what we needed to make our transition as smooth as possible (he has already made on visit to our home). Shawn and Heather Gragg provided dinner for us on Thursday night. Kristin Riley texted Cile encouraging words, while Jamie Jamie over-saw the assembly of my office and the lawn care at the house. Wayne and Irmalee Gampp’s hospitality knows no boundaries. So many at Sunshine have been encouraging on FaceBook to make us feel that we were coming home, and the collection that was taken for us will really be helpful as we’re getting started. Thank you for the glimpse into the first moment of heaven.
I can only imagine what it might be like that first moment in heaven. You get to reunite with your friends and family once more, you get to meet the greats throughout Scripture and throughout time, and you get to meet the Lord himself, and to look upon his face. The joy will be nothing less than overwhelming.
Jesus promised to return, and this past week, not only reminded me of this reality, but kind of got me excited of the possibilities. As George Younce of the Cathedrals used to say, “I’ve got my bags pack and I’m ready to go.” And you know what, today I can say that.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)