Counting Down the Sleeps

The future can be hard to face. Who can say what will be? Where will our life’s pathway lead? When will our end come? Sometimes we can feel paralyzed facing all the unknowns.

But Christians can rest in the Father’s promise. The final article of the Apostles’ Creed is this: “I believe the life everlasting.”

Ever since the beginning of time, the Father has been making preparations for when all the days ordained for us and this world have been fulfilled. On that final day, Christ will summon everyone to stand before him. He will judge them all by a single question: “Have you trusted in me?”

By that standard, some will go to eternal punishment, others to eternal life.

Eternal life is something we cannot imagine. John puts it this way: “We are God’s children now, and what we will be has not been made known” (1 John 3:2). We look into a mirror dimly, unable to fathom things like eternity and perfection.

Already now, believers belong to the Father, and already now we enjoy the Father’s gracious care. Yet in Christ, He’s got even more goodness in store for his believers.

Think of a dad who makes promises to his child. He might promise a wonderful gift or an enjoyable vacation. And because the child trusts her father, she believes that the promise will be kept. She might even count down all the sleeps until the day arrives! The excitement grows, and even the certainty grows.

In such a child-like spirit, believers in Christ are able to face the future. For we know what our God can do. We know that our loving Father has never broken his Word. We know that He delights to bless his children.

His return is surely approaching, and we need to get ready. If Christ returned today, would you be at peace with him?  

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Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-13

Prayer: Loving Father, in your Word you have said that Christ is going to return, and that his believers will live forever with him. Help me to be ready for that day. And grant that day to come soon! Amen.