Are We There Yet?
"I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land." Psalm 143:6
When I was a child back in the 70's, life was simple. I remember endless summer days with skies of deep blue. The moon hung in the sky like a dull yellow piece of cheese. We had no fear of the sun and sunscreen was unheard of.
We played safely outside all day. Running barefoot in the wet, dewy grass in the morning; rode our bikes all afternoon; and lastly, cruised down to the end of Loraine Avenue to gather for the evening neighborhood ball game where everyone was welcome to play. The only thing that brought us inside of the house was the sound of a large bell attached to our front porch. When it rang, it was time to gather at the table for the evening meal. Food was real and it came from the farm, or from the backyard garden. The meal was spread across the table as our family gathered all around. We ate, talked, laughed and enjoyed hearing about each other's lives.
Life was black and white back then; right was right and wrong was wrong, and we knew it. We had a deep internal compass that drew our hearts to the Lord. We believed in God with deep reverence, respect, and without question. Faith came easy.
Things are different now. We can't go back. Life changed even more after the events of 2020 unfolded. It seems that we are watching the Books of Revelation, Daniel and Isaiah play out before our very eyes. I find my heart longing for His Kingdom to come. Like a child on a long car trip I keep asking, "Are we there yet? How much longer, Lord?" My heart aches due to the suffering I see in this world because of sin. I long to be set free! Don't you?
I see the power that the sun has to burn us and how the moon now shines like an LED light and I think of this verse....
“Moreover the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, And the light of the sun will be sevenfold, As the light of seven days, In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people and heals the stroke of their wound.”
Isaiah 30:26
Are we there yet, I wonder?
In Daniel, we read...
“I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.”
Daniel 7:21-22
Are we there yet? Are we close to that glorious moment?
The threat of war and the rumors of war surround us. I read in Ezekiel 37-39 about the great Ezekiel 38 battle and again I ask, "Are we there yet? Are we getting close to this incredible battle? This battle that the Lord wins greatly!"
Oh, I hope so!
As we anxiously wait for His Kingdom to come, we can do much to escape this man made matrix that surrounds us. We don't have to partake. We can turn away from the constant noise and distraction that our cell phones deliver into our lives. We can choose to live more deeply present with those all around us. We can shut off the TV and the Bluetooth and open our Bibles and read the Good News instead. We can refuse the yoke of slavery that wanting more stuff in this world brings. We can live slower, simpler lives. We can choose to eat real whole food and gather at the table with our loved ones to connect deeply. We can take our time back, our health back, and our faith back while we wait for His glorious kingdom to come. The choice is ours!
“Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
Revelation 16:15
But more than anything, we can prepare our hearts for what is to come. Because it is coming and it will come like a thief to those not paying attention.
Pray with me...
Father in Heaven,
We long for You and Your Kingdom to come. We wait so anxiously. Prepare us and make us a people set apart for You. Forgive us and how easily we get distracted from what is most important. Give us a hunger and thirst to know You more and a desire to turn further and further away from sin. Use us in these days of darkness as beacons of light for Your glory. Use us to draw others, who are far from You, closer to You. Give them eyes to see and ears to hear the truth...the truth that sets them free! In Jesus Name
