The Coming of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11
Here we have two things together that address common questions: what happens when we die and when will the world end.

It's funny that it seems to talk in euphemisms when describing death-as in they have fallen asleep, and we have a tendency to do it still. Why, I wonder. Perhaps it is the unknown quality of what happens next. In this letter, Paul says that those who have already died will be going with Jesus when he returns, and that all who are still waiting for that return will go with him at that time. The next question seems natural enough: when will that be?

And the answer is-it will be obvious, but we do not need to know when that will be. I find I could spend a LOT of time wondering what happens next. Where will I live, what will I do for a living, will I find a good church, will I have enough money...? The questions can take over all my thoughts and take an enormous amount of time. So this is said in order to put an end to that time-consuming line of thought. I could wonder and think about things; the when's and what's of life, the how's and why's or why not's, but in this passage-among others-it says not to waste my life on such things.

It isn't for me to wonder about-to the exclusion of living in the Good News, and in the fruit of the Spirit. While we are 'awake' we are to LIVE. Worrying is not living a life of faith and peace, and these (faith and peace) are fruit of the Spirit, while fear is not, and reckless selfishness is not. We are to make a choice to live fully; for the Lord, and to wait for His coming in His time. We won't be mistaken when the time comes, but until then...live.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie