iSpeech

It's all too easy to lose sight of the great promise that is the foundation of our faith—the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—amid the chaos of everyday life. However, when we turn to the scriptures in our solitary hours of thought, we are reminded of the serious reality declared by our Master Himself. We cannot help but be reminded of Mark 13:32, which states, "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This is further supported by Matthew 24:36, which highlights how unpredictable the hour of His coming will be. 

In light of this uncertainty, what are we to do? Shall we run away in terror or spend our lives as though His return were only a pipe dream? No! Piercing through the mist of complacency are the words of Matthew 24:42, which exhort us to "keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come." Indeed, we must always be alert and prepared since the Son of Man will return at a time when we least expect Him (Matthew 24:44). 

However, this exhortation to readiness goes beyond just standing by. Rather, it is an exhortation to take action and be obedient to the tasks that God has given us. We are not to stay inactive, while we anxiously anticipate His coming. We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 15:19, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied." The boundaries of our terrestrial life are not where our hope stops. It looks ahead to the beautiful day of our eternal reunion with our Lord when we have been changed. 

It is simple to lose sight of this hope when faced with difficulties. According to 1 Peter 1:9, however, "you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." It is not in vain that we are devoted to this moment. It is the source from which life forever emerges. Therefore, let us cling to God's promises, trusting that He who has promised will fulfill His word (Hebrews 10:23). 

However, what does being faithful in the present moment really mean? It entails leading lives that are typified by kindness, love, and selflessness. It entails being both light and salt in a world that sorely needs both. It entails boldly and firmly sharing the message, understanding that the harvest is bountiful and the time is limited (Matthew 9:37). 

The most important thing is to maintain a focused gaze on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). We can only discover the courage and fortitude to endure hardship when we place our faith in Him alone. The only source of hope that gets us through the darkest of nights is Him. 

Thus, beloved, let us always prepare for the arrival of our Lord. Let us look forward to the joyful day when He returns and makes all things new. And because our work in the Lord is not in vain, let us do it with lives brimming with love and hearts full of trust (1 Corinthians 15:58). Because He who promised is trustworthy, and He will undoubtedly return to assemble His people about Himself. 

On that day, may we be considered trustworthy and hear with delight the words of our Master: "Well done, good and loyal servant! I'll give you a lot of responsibilities because you've been dependable with the few things. Come and partake in the joy of your lord!" (Mark 25:21).