Advance Warning

Kirk NormanThere is a certain excitement that comes with the spring storms in Oklahoma. I think some of us native Oklahomans truly look forward to the spring when we are witnesses to the awesome power of nature through thunderstorms and tornado activity. I know that many Oklahomans truly enjoy the coverage of these powerful storms. The news stations pre-empt programming and spend great amounts of money to report where the storms are and how severe they will be. With tornado risk the news stations even ramp up to a higher level of awareness. The Oklahoma adage is this, “What do you do when the siren goes off in your neighborhood? You stand outside and look at the clouds.”

All throughout the epistles the authors shared this kind of expectancy. In our state it is never a matter of if, but when the storms will break out. The epistle writers believed that Jesus’ return was not a matter of if, but when Jesus was returning and they believed it would be quickly. Do you believe and have this faith? I wonder if we wouldn’t do things differently if we really believed Jesus’ return was coming quickly. I mean quickly like within the next year. I mean quickly like within the next few months or days. If I could tell you I knew exactly when Jesus was returning and it was going to be within the next six months how would it impact your life? First, you would have to believe it was true. Then what changes would you be making? The writers of the epistles wanted us to live that way. Jesus called for us to live that way.

This blog is written so we can be interactive and share in dialogue together. How would your life change if you truly believed Jesus’ return was coming in the next six months? Share that with your church family below and let us each begin to live with the expectancy of Christ's return. I will also share my life changes as a comment below.

On the journey together,
Kirk

Posted on Thu, April 8, 2010 by Kirk Norman

4 comments (Add your own)

1. Bob and Jan Helsel wrote:
Oh, my goodness! How timely is this piece!! First, I DO believe in the great return of Jesus Christ. How soon? don't know, but the excitement is there and the expectancy! I said this is timely, because at this house we have 'cleaned out the attic, cleaned out and taken down a storage shed and cleaned out and re-arranged the 'barn'. We are divesting ourselves of years of clutter via one giant all-neighborhood garage sale, the end of this month. I said to a neighbor just the other day,"You would think that I was expecting Royalty or something, the way I feel about this." And while I know that my Lord does not care one whit about this property at 605 Peniel, as far as clutter is concerned that is, He does care very deeply about the excitement and expectancy in all areas of my life. Most especially, His return and the salvation of those whose lives I touch. I believe in Revelation we read, "Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!"

Thu, April 8, 2010 @ 1:16 PM

2. Mary Nethercutt wrote:
Oh how I wish that I could say that knowing that Jesus' return was imminent would not make a difference in how I lived my life, that I lived each day to the full. But I cannot say that at all. There are days this would be true, but there are more days, unfortunately, that I squander opportunities to do what Christ would wish me to do. I am too often filled with the clutter that Jan and Bob are eliminating. So, my challenge is to reverse the above and live more days in anticipation of Christ's return and fewer amid the clutter and confusion of the world!

Thu, April 8, 2010 @ 2:35 PM

3. Kirk wrote:
Well, here goes!! I agree with Mary. I would like to think my life would find very few changes, but the truth is I would probably change most everything about the way I go about my daily life. Gone would be the days of sitting in the office and planning for specific events. I have too many friends who I want to see with me in heaven. I would not worry about that little project at home that keeps nagging at me to find time to finish. I would not get the oil changed in my car. I bet we wouldn't have church as we know it now. I believe we would probably be having outbreaks of worship everywhere we would go. I would be much more forceful in sharing with everyone whether I knew them or not. I want to live as though I truly expect Jesus' return in 6 months, so I have some changing to do.

Thu, April 8, 2010 @ 8:34 PM

4. Laura Alfonzo wrote:
Okay, so I have pondered this blog through the weekend, and can't help thinking of the billboards around town saying, "THE END IS NEAR." It could perhaps be easy to become fearful thinking about the end of the world as we know it, or the end of our lives, but I can see the good in these words, because it would mean the end of evil is near, the end of suffering is near, the end of an abusive relationship is near, the end of sickness and death is near, the end of anxiety and fear and worry is near, the end of financial hardship is near, the end of isolation is near, the end of waiting is near. If I knew this world was nearing its end and Jesus was coming back within six months, yes I would definitely make changes during my time left on earth, but fear, worry, financial concerns, sickness, despair, all of that would no longer be an issue. The end would be near (and PTL! will be someday) to all that is painful and broken. I am longing for that day when Christ's return will be the end to everything that has been broken for so long.

Mon, April 12, 2010 @ 4:57 PM

Add a New Comment

Enter the code you see below:
code
 

Comment Guidelines: No HTML is allowed. Off-topic or inappropriate comments will be edited or deleted. Thanks.