God of all riches, provide faith and hope to the needs of this dear reader; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from 1 Thessalonians 5: 1 I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. 2 You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. 3 About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other - "We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!" - suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman. 4 But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? 5 You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. 6 So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. 7 People sleep at night and get drunk at night. 8 But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. 9 God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! 11 So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it. (The Message)
Christ will come again. We say that once a month during our celebration of Holy Communion. In the act of remembrance of that which Christ did for us, we celebrate that which Christ is doing and we celebrate that which Christ will do, and part of that is declaring our faith that Christ will come again. But for many of us we think, but not today. Please. We think of that day being in say, maybe, one thousand years from today. We think, but not too hard, that it might come after our death, but we prefer not to think about our death. Yes, Christ will come again, but I'm not going to worry about it. And some will and do ask, when? For Paul, there was no question. He met Christ and Christ told him that He would come again. Like He did with the disciples, He promised His return but did not give a date or time. Paul didn't worry about the day nor time, he was ready! Paul stresses to all, Christ loves you! Christ died for you! Christ wants to be with you! And Christ wants you to be with Him! So, be ready now and do all that you were created and called to do. Now.
Life is best spent living with hope and encouraging one another about that hope. We can't sit down and give up on life. Nor can we let others do that either. Christ does not want anyone left behind.
PRAYER: Loving God, help me in my purpose and plan for my life. I know You created me to do great things, among them to encourage others to have faith in You. Let me not fail. Let me share hope. I pray this in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
