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When Jesus told the disciples about the signs of the last days, they didn’t stop what they were doing and sit on a hill somewhere to wait. They remained busy. Life continued. Ministry continued. The Church hadn’t even been birthed yet!
Just after He described the signs of the end times in Luke 21:34-37, Jesus said, “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives.”
Each day He continued to teach. And each night He spent the night on the Mount of Olives. He stayed busy. He stayed focused. He kept His eye on the ball. He fulfilled His Father’s will.
The fact is, Jesus is coming back. It may be today or it may be tomorrow. No one knows for absolutely sure, except all signs point to it being very, very soon.
When I heard this for the first time as a child it brought a new reality to my life, but it it didn’t cause my life to cease or be on hold. I’ve been busy.
I’ve grown up, gotten married, raised a family, served the Lord in ministry, enjoyed wonderful times of fun and refreshing and relaxing. I’ve lived!
But I’ve lived with the understanding that what I do on the earth matters. The choices I make have an eternal significance. I’ve lived my life when Heaven in mind. My decisions in life have always been in light of eternity.
When you hear , “Jesus is coming”, it’s not a call for us to stop living, but to live in light of eternity. Enjoy your life. Plan for the future! Raise your family. Go on vacations. Invest wisely. Get a great education. Engage in the community. Fulfill your God-given destiny!
But do it all with eternity in focus. Balance this day and this life with eternity and eternal life.
Either extreme is unhealthy and unscriptural. Let’s live our lives to the fullest for the glory of God until Jesus comes to take us home!