I derive considerable pleasure from listening to YouTube Christian music from several American pianists and a church choir in Texas. I was interested in a spiritual song I heard recently that included the phrase, “I’m ready when you call me Lord, but give me just a little more time”. That, of course, is not the whole story and there are some good reasons for the request for delay,
Two memories were stirred by that phrase. The first is the use of the word “Lord” as used by Peter. In Matthew 16 Jesus predicts his death and verse 22 tells us that Peter took him (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” At least one translation puts it differently with “Not so, Lord”. The challenge is, how can we call Jesus, Lord, and then not accept what he says?
The second memory relates to a comment about Christians who sing and talk about “not being able to wait for the Lord’s return” to which an older Christian once remarked, “If that is true, why do they call for a doctor as soon as they feel unwell?”
I am sure we may be able to find justifiable reasons for the above statements but living in a time when the Second Coming (in my experience) is seldom preached, it is good for us to consider it.
I am sure readers will have heard the adage, “Live today as though it is your last because one day it will be”.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, for many reasons we may look forward to being in your presence but there may also be reasons why we may not want your Second Coming to happen just yet. Help us to live in a relationship with you so that we will always be ready. AMEN