I heard a quote recently that caused much thought for me. I wanted to take the time to write about it in hopes that it would grow from being just a thought into an action. For myself and hopefully for all who get the chance to read this.
The Quote
“The last day is hidden from us, in order that every day may be taken seriously”
St. Augustine
The Idea
Imagine it is your birthday today. You have been informed that some of your friends are throwing you a surprise party. However, you do not know where and at what time of day they are going to be surprising you. How would you act all day? I would be careful around every corner, lights would be on in every room, and I would make sure I do my best not be caught off guard.
You see, our end is just the same. Jesus will come back. He promised He would. It is as if the very friends throwing your surprise party informed you they are going to be surprising you. However, we do not know when He will come back. It could be tomorrow, 10 days from now, 100 years from now, or in the next 10 seconds. This is what it means that “the last day is hidden from us”
Just as I would make sure my friends would not catch me off guard so we are expected to walk carefully this walk of faith that Jesus’s coming does not catch us as a “thief in the night”
But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then, let’s not sleep as others do, but let’s be alert and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:4-8
It is our great duty to have a watchful walk of faith. We are to stand our guard, soberly, with eyes wide open. The enemy awaits to attack the moment we shut our eyes. I don’t know about you but I want my Savior to come back and find me with eyes wide open expecting His return in all areas of my life.
Application
- Take a moment to praise God for His promised return and His faithfulness to His promise
- Confess to God all the moments recently that you have not been watchful in your walk of faith.
- Ask God to help you and give you the endurance necessary to be watchful and to stand.