“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (emphasis mine)… .”
Titus 2:11-13 (NIV)

As I write this I am three days away from our second child’s due date. As I wait in eager expectation that our baby girl will soon grace us with her presence, it makes me reflect upon how I am living, or not living, in eager expectation for the glorious appearing of our great Savior. The Bible says no one knows the day or hour of Jesus’ return, but there will be signs alerting us to the season (Matthew 24).

In this season, my ever expanding belly is a sure sign of what lies ahead. In preparation I shop, clean, cook and wash with the hope of seeing her soon. But what am I doing while I wait for the day of Jesus’ return? I have to ask myself if I am truly living life from an eternal perspective? Because if I was, I have a feeling some of the encounters I have with people that the Lord places in my path would look a bit different. I have a feeling my prayers for those who do not know of the hope found in Jesus would be a little more fervent. And I have a feeling my efforts towards helping to make the body of Christ His pure, spotless bride would be a bit more intentional. So as I wait with the hope that my baby girl will soon be gracing us with her presence, I also pray that the Lord would show us how we need to live with a greater expectation of hope while awaiting His return.

God bless!

Noree

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