Have a sense of urgency

I remember speaking to my elderly aunt who was a Christian. Her long-term friend and live-in housekeeper (Eve) had cancer and her time was running out. I asked my aunt if she had ever spoken to Eve about where she stood with Jesus. My aunt answered, “No, I haven’t, but yes, I should try to talk to her about it soon”. It was certainly a difficult thing to do, but it was ultimately a loving thing to do given that the end was near.

Cynical about Jesus’ return

Did you know that the Jehovah’s Witnesses have predicted the second coming of Christ at least three times in the 20th century? Each time, many of them sold their possessions, cashed in their insurance policies, and postponed surgery to prepare for Jesus’ return.

It’s no wonder that people today are cynical about the end of the world and Christ’s return. Many people today echo the skeptics of the apostle Peter’s day who cried out:

"Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation." - 2 Pet 3:4 (NIV)

What about you?

Do you believe that Christ will return to earth one day to bring in heaven and hell? I admit that sometimes it’s a hard thing to believe. We go to work, come home, go to work, come home, then we rest on the weekend, and on Monday this routine starts all over again. Our lives seem to roll on and on, with no end in sight.

Stop and consider: How often do you think about Christ’s second coming?

But the end will come

The apostle Peter answers the skeptics of his day (and the skeptics of today) by saying,“…the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2 Pet 3:10). Peter is quoting Jesus himself, who warns people to always be ready for his coming (see Mark 13:32-37, for example).

If you believe all the other claims Jesus made, including that he was raised from the dead, then is there any reason not to believe that Jesus will also return just as he promised?

And given that we don’t know exactly when Jesus will return, is it time for you to make more of an effort to share the good news of Jesus with those close to you—friends, family, workmates, neighbours? While you don’t want to act like a crazy ‘end times’ preacher with a sandwich board around your chest, you also don’t want to leave it too late:

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. [The literal translation is “redeem the time”.] - Col 4:5

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. - Ps 90:12 (NIV)

Action:Each day this week as you walk into your office, remind yourself that Jesus might come back today.

Pray: Ask God to give you more of a sense of urgency to tell your work colleagues about him.