Thought for the Month - May 2018

"Greyfriars Bobby" by Barry Adair
(Faithful expectancy)

Can I share a mental picture I have in my head with you? It is 1994 and I'm returning home from work in the evening. As I drive down into the small cul-de-sac I lived in at the time, I can already see two small blonde heads at the low window of my house. As I get closer, I can see the two blonde heads starting to bounce up and down. Then I see the wide smiles and their excitement. And no matter how difficult my day would have been up to that point, the smile on my face is as broad as a Cheshire cat! The two small blonde heads belonged to my young children, Ryan and Kerry, and they were really glad to see the return of their Daddy.

That picture just popped into my head the other day and I'm not exactly sure what triggered it. Although well over 20 years ago, the mental picture was crystal-clear. Ryan's hair has been reddy fair for many years and Kerry's has been one of several shades! But in my mind I can see clearly how blonde they both were at that young age.

As I thought of my kids and of their joy in seeing me home again, I also thought about the stories I've read of pets that eagerly wait for their owners. These animals seem to know the exact time of day when their owners will appear. And the greeting they give when the owner steps in through the door is a burst of honest excitement.

Do you remember when you were a kid and believed in Santa Claus? Do you remember the expectancy on Christmas Eve? Do you remember thinking that there was no way you were going to be able to go to sleep with that level of excitement? Looking forward to something is a great feeling to have. But as adults, we don't tend to have the same feelings as we did as children. But if we are "children of God" i.e. Bible believing Christians, then perhaps we should have a little more of that child-like excitement and expectation! Why so, you may be asking? Please read on…

I was reading the fascinating story recently of "Greyfriars Bobby". I had remembered visiting the statue of Bobby, a small Terrier dog, in Edinburgh on a school trip to Scotland. "Greyfriars Bobby" is known throughout Scotland (and farther afield) as the dog who spent 14 years waiting for his owner's return. His owner was John Gray and when John died, he was buried in Edinburgh's Greyfriars graveyard. Bobby then faithfully remained at the graveside of his master until he died on 14 January 1872.

As I thought about my expectant children in waiting for the return of their Daddy and the faithful expectancy of Bobby to see his master again, my mind drifted to my own Master and His imminent return to this world. Jesus is coming back again to this world. Therefore, as a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, where is my excitement for the any-day return of Jesus? As a "child of God", I should have that child-like expectancy of seeing my Saviour in person. And my personal faith in believing in the imminent return of the Lord Jesus should also be a witness to others around me!

Jesus is coming again to this world, but just like the Bible warns, many are sleeping to this fact (Romans 13:11, Matthew 24:42). Many more will be astounded, humbled, embarrassed, shocked, angry and deeply worried by His coming. Everyone needs to be ready for that day!

Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:44)

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, let us all be ready and eagerly awaiting His return…

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (Rev 22:12)

Jesus is coming again - Maranatha!

The Lord is coming by and by,
Be ready when He comes;
He comes from His fair home on high,
Be ready when He comes;

He is the Lord our Righteousness,
And comes His chosen ones to bless,
And at His Father's throne confess;
Be ready when He comes.

Until next month (DV)…

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!