As I sat reading my daily devotional on the first day of 2012 the author of that particular day's excerpt asked me a question. He asked whether I had considered the thought that perhaps it might be this year that Jesus returns to claim His bride. He then went on to ask, if I knew for a fact that it would be this year would it change the way I live my life in any way? Would it change the people I speak to and what I speak to them about? If I knew the days were running out when I would have an opportunity to share the Gospel would it change my priorities in any way?
I personally cannot wait for Jesus to call us home which I know could be at any time. The more I go through life and see the mess the world is in, the more imminent I feel His return is! I think in times past however and certainly at the time of writing this poem, I've found myself guilty of getting caught up in life and living as if His return is unlikely to happen today and more likely to be a future event. The danger of living with this attitude however is that it can lead to apathy and quench the desire to live full-out for Christ each day.
When I consider the fact that we don't know the day or the hour of Christ's return I think it brings an incentive to "keep on our toes" and to be watchful. It certainly helps to remind me that I need to utilise every opportunity He gives me to witness for Him because in reality, I never know when it'll be my last chance! His return might not be this year but then again it might be. It made me aware that I need to live with a strong awareness of the imminency of Christ's return as subsequently this will affect how fervently I share the Gospel with the people God brings into my life.
As Matthew 24:43-44 says,
"But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
I wanted to write a poem that would help remind me to keep my focus on Jesus and inspire me to live in such a way that I try to do the best I can with the time and resources God has given me. The time remaining is precious and rather than take the easier option of going into autopilot, I need to seek God's will on a daily basis and prepare for His return.
Quite a tough challenge with all the distractions the world has to offer but that's why for me it's a daily reminder so that when the day comes when the trumpet sounds and Jesus does come back to claim His bride, I can say with confidence, "Lord, I'm ready."
I personally cannot wait for Jesus to call us home which I know could be at any time. The more I go through life and see the mess the world is in, the more imminent I feel His return is! I think in times past however and certainly at the time of writing this poem, I've found myself guilty of getting caught up in life and living as if His return is unlikely to happen today and more likely to be a future event. The danger of living with this attitude however is that it can lead to apathy and quench the desire to live full-out for Christ each day.
When I consider the fact that we don't know the day or the hour of Christ's return I think it brings an incentive to "keep on our toes" and to be watchful. It certainly helps to remind me that I need to utilise every opportunity He gives me to witness for Him because in reality, I never know when it'll be my last chance! His return might not be this year but then again it might be. It made me aware that I need to live with a strong awareness of the imminency of Christ's return as subsequently this will affect how fervently I share the Gospel with the people God brings into my life.
As Matthew 24:43-44 says,
"But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
I wanted to write a poem that would help remind me to keep my focus on Jesus and inspire me to live in such a way that I try to do the best I can with the time and resources God has given me. The time remaining is precious and rather than take the easier option of going into autopilot, I need to seek God's will on a daily basis and prepare for His return.
Quite a tough challenge with all the distractions the world has to offer but that's why for me it's a daily reminder so that when the day comes when the trumpet sounds and Jesus does come back to claim His bride, I can say with confidence, "Lord, I'm ready."
Ready me for Your return, ready me I pray.
I yearn for our reunion on that great and awesome day.
Fill me with a passion fierce, anoint my soul anew.
Rivet my attention on becoming more like You.
Ready me to share my hope at any given time
And give a reason for my faith with confidence divine.
Focus all my energies on serving You my King,
On guiding countless souls to the protection of Your wing.
Fill me with the strength to live a holy life so pure
So others then may realise my hope in You is sure.
Please help them see my faith is not an empty desperation,
It's not a wistful, fleeting hope but solid expectation.
Ready me to fight the fight and run a worthy race
So I am not ashamed when You and I come face to face!
Give me strength to point the lost to where each soul finds rest,
Regardless of the outcome let me always try my best.
Keep me from distractions that would pull Your plans aside
For I know not the time at which You'll come to claim Your bride.
At any moment it could be the last chance that I'll get
To share the Gospel's truth with those who do not know You yet.
So if lethargy overtakes or fearful thoughts of doubt,
Please give a quick reminder that our time is running out.
Behold, You're coming quickly! Could it be within the year?
Help me keep this sober thought with reverential fear.
Let it be the driving force to live each day for You,
To set a good example Lord in all I say and do.
For if I think of Your return, it changes my perspective,
I focus more on others' needs than matters introspective.
My thoughts can fall so easily to cares and woes internal.
Please lift my eyes from troubles small to those of the eternal.
For life on Earth is temporal and each soul must decide
Where they will spend eternity, where forever they'll abide.
Ready me to share this truth with love, without condition.
To spread the news of Jesus' grace must be my greatest mission!
Lord fill me with compassion, with a heart to reach the lost,
Let Jesus Christ be on my lips no matter of the cost.
So as I watch for Your return, a truth not taken lightly,
Lord let my waist be girded and my lamps be burning brightly.
I long for You to claim Your Bride, Your face at last I'll see.
As I await that awesome day, dear Lord please ready me.
Luke 12:35-40
"Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
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