Come, Lord Jesus

By Missey Butler
Guest Writer

CBN.com - The term 9-11 is something we have all come to recognize as a date that holds sad remembrance in our nation’s history. It brings to mind thoughts of how quickly our lives can be here today, and then gone tomorrow.

One of the things I personally find myself doing lately is people watching. I guess you could call me a connoisseur of the human race! And it’s not because I’m particularly nosey, or don’t have anything else better to do. I just find myself very intrigued with the interactions of my fellow man.

As a result, I’ve made some rather interesting conclusions by way of the simple observations of everyday Joe’s like you and me. Lately I’ve been noticing just how very preoccupied many of us seem to be, everyone so deeply immersed in his or her own little world.

I mean let’s face it, you don’t have to go very far before you see someone’s head bent sideways against the ear piece of a cell phone totally captivated by the conversation of this, that, or the other, all the while seemingly unaware of who or what’s going on around them.

Or, if you happen to be driving down the local freeway, it’s not long before you feel the up close and personal presence of the bumper of the guy behind you, and if you happen to check your review mirror, you might read the heated message of, “Ok mister, either lead, follow, or get out of the way!”

And of course we can’t help but notice the loud honk we’re blessed with, if we become the least bit sluggish in shifting our foot from the brake to the exhilarator when the traffic light turns green! I personally have heard some rather colorful words come through my driver side window when my pedal timing was less then perfect.

Now please don’t misunderstand me. I’m well aware that we live in a modern world where the pulse of life moves at a very rapid pace. Even the multi-million dollar advertising media does a swell job in giving us the impression that if we dare blink our eyes (even for just a moment) we might just miss the opportunity of a lifetime!

The high cost of our modern living and the pressured demands of keeping pace with the social status have pushed many of us to the very brink of our sanity. I often hear the repeated explanations of, “Oh, it’s no big deal, it’s simply the sign of our times” or, “There’s no need to worry, just chill... everything is cool!”

Well maybe that’s all true, but perhaps it’s time for some of us to take a good, hard look at ourselves and ask some very important questions, like three simple words:

Where’s – the – love?

I can tell you where the Bible says the love is. Our brother Timothy communicates it very well in the Scripture when he says,

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3: 1-5)

Now before you start throwing rotten tomatoes at me, I realize these passages are anything but a “feel good,” upbeat, positive message. In fact they do a good job in bringing our attention to the possibility that just maybe we’re heading down the long, slippery slope of self-absorption!

But, as the famous saying goes, first the bad news, now…the good news.

In the book of Revelation the Bible reveals a message of both warning and hope for all men and woman of every generation. It concludes with the promise of Jesus Christ's soon return, and offers the beautiful invitation to drink now of the water of life.

Christ’s second coming will be swift and sudden. Jesus’ purpose in telling us about His return was not in order that we might become caught up in predictions, or calculations about the date or the time, but to warn us to be prepared! Spiritual readiness cannot be bought or borrowed at the last minute. We are not to live irresponsibly by self-serving pleasure, but rather to use our time, talents, and treasures in order to serve God whole-heartedly in everything that we do. God Himself has written the final chapter, and it culminates into true fulfillment and everlasting joy for those who love Him. The Book of Revelation beautifully concludes with the invitation of, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Even in a modern world filled with anxiety, despair, selfishness and immorality, Christ calls us to endure in our faith. Our own efforts to bring about a better world are important, but those results can never compare with the transformation that Christ will bring about when He returns. He alone controls human history, forgives sin, and will re-create the earth and bring lasting peace.

Eternal life is available to you today brothers and sisters, only because of what Jesus, the Lamb has done. Will you trust Him today to secure your citizenship in the New Jerusalem that is soon to come?

He longs to bring this message to everyday “Joes” like you and me, and is waiting even now…and all you need to do is say, “Come Lord Jesus.”

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