Hold On a Little While Longer

How many times yesterday did you actively and specifically even think about the Lord’s return to take us home to heaven?

How about the day before that?

How about last week?  Last month?  (Gulp…)  Last year?

I’m embarrassed to say that a long time ago I actually went months  without being able to say for sure that I actively and specifically thought about that glorious future event.  At least not in the sense of eagerly awaiting it.  And not surprisingly, that was one of the only stretches in my life in which I was far more focused on the day-to-day dealings of life, i.e., the tangible, than I was on the far more important intangibles.  The former category is of course very important, but should never, ever overtake or unseat the latter from the throne of our mind.

Also not surprising or ironic in the least but rather totally to be expected is the fact that said stretch of time in my life was the least spiritually fruitful.  I can’t say that I was completely barren spiritually but let’s just say that the apples weren’t exactly falling from the tree on their own if you know what I mean.

And the reason that isn’t at all surprising is that setting our minds on the things above, the intangible and unseen things, is THE KEY to a healthy, fruitful walk with the Lord, i.e., His working in us and then through us.

  • “Set your minds on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2)
  • “… look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
  • “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” (Galatians 5:16-17)
  • “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5)

I foolishly let my focus fall for months to the horizontal, earthly realm instead of the vertical, heavenly realm – and paid the price spiritually via the Lord’s very effective yet somehow gentle discipline, as well as by way of a lack of spiritual growth and fruitfulness during that time of lost priority of focus.

Instead, we are indeed to stay focused on the things above and specifically the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

  • “… waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” (Jude 21)
  • “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 3:20)
  • “…. waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:23)

[The “transformation” and “redemption” of our body occurs at the return of Christ, the rapture:]

  • “… We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.” (1 John 3:2)
  • “… we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet [i.e., the rapture, see 1 Thessalonians 4:16]; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.  For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-53)

I’ve gotten a lot better at staying focused on the Lord and His return, much more consistent, yet I find that the “eagerness” is still sometimes somewhat lacking – in extent if not essence.  Not because I don’t love Him or CAN’T WAIT to see Him, but rather because I see how much (massive) room for growth remains in my life and especially how much work remains to be done in terms of bringing others to the Lord, bringing others “along for the ride” as they say.

The ride to heaven.

I’m comforted by the fact that none other than the Apostle Paul had this very same struggle:

  • “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.  But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” (Philippians 1:21-24)

And part of it is the deep desire to “make up for lost time”.  The Lord has allowed His living and active Word, the Bible, to reveal to my mind’s eye a very specific method to memorize entire books of the Bible… and anything else!  And how long it has taken me to get to the point of officially launching this website and the historic event unfolding in real-time here definitely causes me to tell the Lord how much I look forward to seeing Him… but also to please hold off on His return and to use me to help, to literally empower  countless people to unlock and unleash their mind, too, as the Bible has been and continues to do in me.

Because I know that the more people memorize Scripture, the more people will be saved, and grow in their confidence and certainty about their salvation, and in turn tell others.

Just like that old shampoo commercial.

Please wait a little while longer, Lord, so more and more people can come to know You before that door shuts forever.  Let them likewise hold on a little while longer.

(This song isn’t my cup of tea musically but it fits perfectly so I’m going with it!  It’s also a loving nod to my precious mother who used to play Christian music virtually all day every day throughout my entire childhood… with a heavy, heavy, heavy dose of Evie, Evie, Evie so this one’s for you, Mom.)

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