I want to see Jesus by Michael English

“I avoid looking forward or backward and try to keep looking upward.” Emily Bronte, British Writer.

Looking Forward

In a few days, we are going to a family reunion.  I am so looking forward to seeing my family.  Two of my aunts are in their early eighties and it may be the last time I see them here.  I am remembering them as a child helping me grow, teaching me the value of hard work and being an example of how to love others. While looking forward to seeing them, I am looking back at memories of the past.

Looking Upward

We are living in a society that moves extremely fast.  We seldom slow down enough to think about what Emily Bronte wrote, looking upward. The stress and the pressure we live in results in life moving so quickly.  Still, we must take time to look upward.

Looking Back

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 about his life. While in prison, he writes to Timothy  “come quickly for my departure is at hand.”  He has fought a good fight, finished the course, and kept the faith. He is satisfied that he has done all in his life that God ask him to do.  He goes further to say “in the future” there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.

What am I looking for Jesus appearing?

So as I think about looking forward, backward and upward, I ask myself, Do I deserve an award for living my life in the same manner? Can I say that I have fought the good fight, finished well, or kept the faith?

I am going to see these wonderful two aunts that are reaching the time of their departure as well as other family members:  a sister which I’ve not spent much time with, cousins and their spouses.  We never get to know when our departure “our release from these temporary bodies may be.”

Paul spent most of His life looking upward, longing to see Jesus, whom he loved so fervently. 

Eagerly awaiting

In Titus 2:11-14, we read, vs. 12b. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” 

Both of these writers speak of “eagerly longing” for the appearance of Jesus. As our days click by ever so fast, we must ask ourselves, Am I truly longing for Christ to appear?’

Something to ponder?  

Treading Water Til Jesus Comes

Freda