The annual holiday ritual in the U.S., otherwise known as "Black Friday," is underway as I write. In its original form, it is the most anticipated shopping day of the year. On this day, the day after Thanksgiving. merry bands of eager holiday shoppers swarm stores in hopes of snagging elusive "perfect" deals. Saturday and Sunday sales are now included in this long weekend of bargains.
This has become such a prime mover for the retail market that a major portion of the industry bases whether the year has been successful, or not, on this one shopping weekend alone! I suppose that most are familiar with this either by experience, or watching the news reports.
As it the case whenever frenzied mobs gather, there is also the chance for things to turn ugly rather quickly. Thus, no Black Friday weekend would be complete without a shoving, punching, hair-pulling match, or two! Should you ever want to see some eye-popping examples of impatience, this would be the best time to do so!
Oh, for sure there is a smattering of patience thrown about here and there among the crowds; as in those determined souls who calmly shop away. But, for many, frustration, exasperation, and annoyance rule the day. Which brings me to the point of my message: Patience.
Humans tend to be an impatient lot. Of course, when I say that I'm speaking about people in general. But, I suppose we've always been that way. For example, even the early Christians had bouts of impatience as they waited for Christ's second coming. They literally thought that it should be happening any day, and grew impatient waiting for it (Matthew 16:27).
First of all, Jesus left no calendar date for his return (Matthew 24:36). Honestly, if he did, don't you think that many would sit around and just wait for that joyous day? Their growth as Christians would probably suffer because after all, why bother? Jesus is coming!
On top of this you'd have to figure in how many people need to repent before His return date. Given our nature, this wouldn't be an easy task! Taking into account all that could happen if we knew when the second coming would take place, I feel it's a blessing that we don't (Mark 13:32). You see, in our minds, it is us who wait patiently for Jesus. In reality, however, it is He who patiently waits for us.
We are to use the time between now and then to prepare ourselves for that glorious day (Acts 3:19-21). How much time do we have until then? No one knows, except the Lord himself. The only thing we have is His promise that he will return (2 Peter 3:10). Regarding the Black Friday shoppers, only a select few will get that super-value priced item. But, when it comes to the second coming of Christ, we all have the opportunity to partake in that triumphant event (Hebrews 10:37).
Therefore, we must patiently wait for Christ. In addition to repentance, we must try as hard as we can to live peaceful lives that are pure and blameless (2 Peter 3:14). Far too many of us are not patient when it comes to results that are not instaneous, or promises that take too long to fulfull themselves.
The return of Christ will be a one-time-only event that you won't want to miss. Our patience will be rewarded in ways no one here can truly describe. Will you be ready?
Scripture: Hebrews 9:28; John 14:3; Revelation 1:7; Titus 2:13; Colossians 3:4
Prayer: Dear Lord, you are Holy above all others, and all of the strength that I need is in your patient, loving hands. Amen
May God bless you!
MaryAnne
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