but concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the son, but the Father only. for as were the days of noah, so will be the coming of the son of man. for as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the son of man. [matthew 24:36-39]
do not wait
on your average day, what seems most urgent to you? is it that upcoming project, that person you think is mad at you, or finding a future spouse? those things are important, but there is one thing worth being urgent about: abiding in the vine of Christ and obeying his word. his return could come tonight, or not in your lifetime: no one knows the day or the hour!
a trusted friend of mine gave me this piece of advice: there are very few things in life, very few problems we run into, that can’t wait twenty four hours. when i see Christ as my one thing of urgency, the stresses and dilemmas around me start to feel less urgent: God is sovereign—only he knows the day and hour, and he will lead me according to his plan, which only he knows in full.
so Jesus said to them, “truly, truly, i say to you, the son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. for whatever the Father does, that the son does likewise.
[john 5:19]
in submission to the father, there is somehow simultaneously an urgency to obey, and a peace knowing that God is in control. Lord, grow our desire to obey, and teach us to depend on and submit to you!
~stephen hall