Like a Thief in the Night…

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4
¹Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ²for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

⁴But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

Scripture tells us that the Lord’s return will come suddenly, “like a thief in the night”. I often wonder, if Christ returns during my lifetime, what will he find me doing? Will I be caught unexpectedly, or will I be found waiting for him?

Knowing myself, it’s hard telling. Some days I look at the world around me and just wonder why God would allow it to go on as it does. There seems to be so much sin in the world, and so many things that lead us away from God. On those days, I can’t help but plead for Jesus to come back and take me home to heaven. Other days, it’s easy to get so wrapped up in life that I become numb to the world around me… and numb to the call of Christ. Those are the days I dread.

I guess that’s just the way life is though, at least while we’re here on earth living with the weaknesses of the flesh. Some days we’re on fire for God. Other days we’re lukewarm, at best. I’m so thankful that there’s more to look forward to than this life — the weakness of the flesh holds us back from God so much. I look forward to the day of Christ’s return when those weaknesses will be stripped away, and nothing holds us back from worshipping and serving God with all our heart.

My challenge for today? Live your life in expectation of Christ’s return. No, don’t spend all day looking up at the sky watching for Him, but certainly live your life in a way that brings honor and glory to Him. When He returns, that’s how I want to be found.