Are you planning a vaction this summer? Do you have some family member coming to visit that you’ve not seen for awhile and you can’t wait until they arrive? Is there a dinner outing you are planning for the weekend? Are you anticipating an activity with your best friend?
Whatever you future fun plan is, have you noticed that everytime you think of that anticipated event, whenever you simply think about it, that it brings you joy? It is amazing to me that just anticipating certain events brings almost as much joy now as the acutal event brings in the future! This is so true….try it! Don’t defer joy until sometime later….experience joy in the journey. There is no promise of tomorrow, experience joy today!
It is no wonder that the apostle Paul says, “And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died.
I can tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. So comfort and encourage each other with these words.”
So, on a regular basis, think about the fact that Jesus is coming again! Experience joy in the journey of life! One day we will be with Him, FOREVER!!
Maranatha Lord! Maranatha!
