First Dates and the Return of Christ

Do you remember when you were high school or college age, and you were preparing for a first date? I think about myself and how I would get ready – probably too early – and I would wait in anticipation. Every once-in-a-while I would look out the window to see if my date was coming up the driveway. When I didn’t see him, I probably went back to the mirror to check my makeup, hair, or outfit. I wanted to be ready and look perfect when he arrived.

Every sound outside made me jump up to see if it was him. It never failed that I somehow missed him driving up, so I was taken by surprise when he knocked on the door.

Waiting and Watching

There’s a lot of talk these days about the return of Christ, and although it’s much more than that first date experience, throughout scripture, we’re told to wait and watch in anticipation for his return.

James 5:7-8
Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.
You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

Revelation 16:15
Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.

Jesus tells us in both of these Scriptures that we are to wait and watch for his coming. It doesn’t say we are to be fearful. It doesn’t say we are to stop living life and sit by the window to wait and watch. We just need to be alert and prepare our hearts for when that time comes (the way we prepare our makeup, hair and outfit for that first date).

My social media newsfeed is filled with people all but yelling at me about getting ready because his return is soon! They’re creating fear of things happening in the world and trying to pinpoint the day and time of Christ’s return all while telling me I need to get my heart right before it’s too late.

Insert the face palm here because this is NOT how we are to behave.

I think we can all agree that each passing day has us closer to meeting Jesus than the day before.

We can all agree that we need to prepare our hearts.

But let’s not yell at everyone and try to create fear for what’s to come. Whether it’s in our time on earth or not, we are to be excited for the day of Jesus’ return. We shouldn’t fear it.

We also shouldn’t be consumed with trying to pinpoint an exact day or time because we’re told in Matthew 24 that no one, not even the angels or Jesus himself, knows this. It’s fruitless to try and figure it out. That’s missing the whole point of it all, and while you’re trying to figure it out, you’re certainly not walking out your purpose.

What do you do in the meantime?

Wait patiently. We know he will arrive at the exact time he’s supposed to.

Be awake and alert watching for his return. You have to spend time regularly with him so you will recognize him when he returns because there will be many who try to look like him. How will you know it’s really him if you haven’t gotten to know him? It’s not a blind date. You should know him intimately already.

Live life well and with purpose. Don’t stop walking in your purpose because you think it’s happening tomorrow. If nothing else, this should be even more motivation to get up, and use your God-given gifts to walk out the purpose he created you for!