“I can’t wait till I grow up…”
“I can’t wait for it to be delivered…”
“I can’t wait to meet that sweet baby…”
“I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she opens it…”
“I can’t wait to turn the key in the lock of my very own front door…”
Sometimes waiting is hard. Ok, most of the time, waiting is hard.
After much anticipation (tbh, beginning as soon as I dropped her off), my college daughter was coming home for the semester break and it was hard to wait. I was looking forward to her company and her hugs. I was looking forward to her stories, her laughter, her cooking, and even to the mess that comes with hauling all the “necessities” back from campus. When any of the kids come home it’s my little slice of happiness during these crazy times.
Life is full of moments we look forward to–some small like pumpkin ice cream season (yum), and some life-changing like the birth of a child. Some that turn out as expected, and some that leave us disappointed or even hurt. Maybe the ice cream shop is out of your favorite flavor (not exactly an emergency) or maybe you suffer the loss of a loved one. Sure, we can make our best guess, but we never really know what we’re going to get until the moment arrives. Wouldn’t it be nice to know the ending ahead of time?
Thankfully, when it comes to what matters most, we do know the ending.
The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And those who have died believing in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive will be gathered up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord forever. 1Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NCV)
Doesn’t that sound amazing?! When we put our trust in Christ, this is the happy ending we are promised! So when? When will it happen?
No one knows when that day or time will be, not the angels in heaven, not even the Son. Only the Father knows. Matthew 24:36
So what do I do in the meantime?
The Lord has told you, human, what is good;
he has told you what he wants from you:
to do what is right to other people,
love being kind to others,
and live humbly, obeying your God.
Micah 6:8
I am reassured by the fact that although I don’t know just how long the wait will be, I do know what I have to look forward to and even how to live in the meantime. And unlike my daughter’s time at home, this slice of happiness won’t end when break is over.
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