Possibly, what could be the greatest event in history – we have no idea when it will happen. . . I’m referring to The Rapture – when Jesus Christ meets all believers in the air to spend eternity with Him. Check out 1st Thessalonians 4: 16-18 for a condensed description. Jesus said there would be obvious signs (see Matthew 24), but he also mentioned that ,“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24: 42)

So the question becomes: What do we do while we’re waiting for this event? Buy a cabin in the foothills of Montana (plus a shotgun and reliable hound)? Stock up our food pantries with toilet paper and granola bars? Set up our homes with traps against bad guys like Kevin did in Home Alone??? Okay, I’ve tried all of these and they don’t work 🙂

One thing every single person can do is to continue growing. Seriously, that’s it? Yes! If we look at the last book of the Bible, Revelation – we see that Jesus’s words fill the first 3 chapters. And then if we go to the last chapter, He ends with: “Yes, I am coming soon!” (Revelation 22: 20) Anyway, back to the first 3 chapters. He has 7 distinct messages for 7 unique churches. Messages that still can be applied to us today.

In Revelation 2, verse 19 Jesus says, “I know all the things you do. . . And I can see your constant improvement in all of these things.” Constant improvement equals growth. Well, what are the “things” he is talking about? I left them out on purpose. Jesus mentions 4 key areas to keep growing in: “I have seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance.” Here’s the deal: There is an easy way and a hard way to grow in each of the 4 areas.

1. Love – The easy way = Loving family, friends, cool people and nice people. The hard way = Loving annoying people, rude people, needy people, and creepy people (as author Bob Goff says, “Love the creepiest person you come in contact with every day.”)
2. Faith – The easy way = Listening to a motivating sermon, praying for myself and family, reading the Bible. The hard way = Having no idea how a situation is going to turn out and completely trusting God. Letting go of control of people and things. Giving financially when the money just isn’t there.
3. Service – The easy way = Telling someone I’ll pray for them (and then forgetting). Helping someone out if it fits into my schedule. The hard way = Helping someone when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable. Committing to volunteer at a charity or church – especially in the spots that are largely avoided.
4. Patient Endurance – The easy way = standing in line at Kroger (or any other store) patiently because they are understaffed. The hard way = Praying to God desperately and you see the situation getting worse – or it seems the prayer is going unheard or unanswered. And most of all – waiting and wondering when His Son will be returning . . .

Conclusion: There it is. That should keep us busy until He returns for us. One final word from Jesus found in that chapter. “I will ask nothing more of you except that you hold tightly to what you have until I come.” (Revelation 2: 24) Hold tight. Keep fighting, hoping, praying, watching and waiting. And of course – keep growing in love, faith, service, and patient endurance. Oh yes, I almost forgot – don’t be a creepy person that someone has to love! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

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