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8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation. (2 Peter 3:8-15 RSV Bible)
A most wonderful of Tuesdays to you, dear Reader! May it be an awesome day filled with grace and joy! As we pray could we pray for the family of Mr. Trini Garza of Dallas, Texas. Mr. Garza was a good friend of my father's and an active layperson in the Rio Grande Conference of The United Methodist Church for many years. Mr. Garza was born in Stockdale, educated at Texas A&M, and was elected a school board member in Dallas, Texas, where at the age of 93, he died in his sleep. Mr. Garza recently celebrated 40 years as an owner of many food stands at The State Fair of Texas, being the first to introduce fajitas at his kiosk forty years ago.
My friend and one of my dear mentors in ministry, The Rev. Francisco Gaytan, was the first man I knew to own a digital watch. That may sound like it comes from the Middle Ages, and I guess 1977 qualifies for many, as a sort of antiquity; but Pancho's family surprised him on his birthday with a digital watch. The watch was metal and hat a tiny screen towards the bottom of the face and a button on the watch would light up and the time would be displayed in red digits. No longer was it necessary for one to see where the big hand and the little hand were to make it possible to know the correct time. It wasn't too long ago I took time (pun not intended, but it works!) to teach my grandson how to tell time wth a big hand and a little hand. Not only are our little ones not able to use analog clocks, they no longer know how to write cursive and worse, not knowing how to read cursive! But, regardless of hands or digits, time is the same for all people, but not so with God. Peter reminds us of that when he says that "WIth the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." And more over, he says that God is not slow in keeping His promises; this more so as loved ones of those murdered in the purge of Christians in those days wondered when the Lord was coming back? The sooner His return, the quicker the reunion between loved ones here with those in glory. Peter uses this opportunity to remind us of God's patience with us.
Peter’s words invite us into a deeper understanding of God’s sense of time. He explains that God's perception of time is beyond our human comprehension; a single day for God could span a thousand years for us, and vice versa. This perspective assures us that God's timing is not bound by our limitations. After all, God is infinite.
Peter reassures believers then, and us here and now, that God's apparent delay in fulfilling His promises is not due to negligence or forgetfulness. Rather, it's an extension of His mercy and patience, providing ample opportunity for repentance and salvation. God desires that all should come to know Him, and He patiently extends His invitation to every soul. Again, we have work to do. We have souls to reach for God's sake. We have many opportunities to further the work of Jesus.
I know that at times, we may feel rushed and it even seems that things that could wait are upon us almost immediately, and Peter's words call to us to be patient. God's timing is perfect and purposeful, aligning with His divine plan for salvation and renewal. As we wait for the fulfillment of His promises, let us live with urgency, diligently pursuing lives of holiness and godliness.
Our waiting is not passive; it's an active anticipation marked by zeal for righteousness. It's an invitation to examine our lives, striving to live without spot or blemish before God. It’s a call to live in peace and to recognize that God's patience is an avenue for our salvation.
PRAYER: Gracious Father, in moments of waiting and uncertainty, grant us patience and wisdom to understand Your timing. Help us live with holy anticipation, eagerly awaiting the fulfillment of Your promises. May Your patience in waiting for us to turn to You inspire us to live lives devoted to Your will. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Be patient with God, yourself, and others.
Receive my love for you. I love you and thank God for you,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
