Listening to a Methodist church choir from the USA, I was intrigued to hear a spiritual song that included these words. “I am ready when you call me Lord but give me just a little more time.”
For several years I was privileged to be employed in an administrative capacity with a Retirement Home for Elderly Christians. A regular church visitor said to me, on one occasion, “David, so many of these Christians tell me they cannot wait to go to heaven, but as soon as they feel unwell, they want a doctor!”
I suppose our health situation may affect our attitude to death or the Second Coming. It is also understandable if we are enjoying life, notwithstanding personal or world issues, that we want to continue and enjoy living. What has challenged me, as I look back over my past experiences, is there have been times when I have longed for the Lord’s return, though sadly for the wrong reasons. Facing a situation, I wanted to avoid is but one example from my working life. On one occasion I was so dreading a transfer to a job I didn’t want to undertake, that I visited the RAF Recruiting Office. Returning to the office, I was called into the manager’s office and asked if I was planning to leave and join the RAF. When I told my father, he was appalled that I had even considered that as an option. As it turned out I continued for a further 25 years before changing to another role. Looking back, I appreciate that God was involved in helping me to cope with that and many other challenges. It was only many years later that I was able to use the words of a song that I would use to encourage myself – “Whenever I feel afraid, I will trust in You”.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may we never forget that “Our times are in your hand” and respond, “Father, we wish them there”. AMEN