The Importance of Being There
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.—2 John 1:12 (NIV)
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!—REVELATION 22:20 NKJV
When we read this verse, we may wonder if we need to redefine the word quickly. After all, it’s been two thousand years since Jesus spoke those words, and He still hasn’t come, has He?
But we’ve all experienced moments when we thought life would remain the same forever and in a flash we discovered otherwise. Drastic changes can happen in a millisecond.
As caregivers we long for change—and dread it. We fear losing our loved ones, but perhaps we fear even more the extended suffering that could lie ahead. We hope for long, painless, comfort-filled days, but we know that disease can ruin that kind of hope.
For all of us, caregivers and care recipients, Jesus may be coming so quickly we can’t even imagine it. In a moment, we could be with Him—by our loss of life or His return. Is our loved one ready, whatever happens? Are we?
If so, we face that future change by grabbing His hand in faith and saying with the apostle John, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Lord, please help me and my loved one to be ready to meet You face-to-face. We want to share eternity with You.
I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.—2 John 1:12 (NIV)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.—2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NIV)
The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.—Proverbs 19:8 (NIV)