MARK 13;32-37: “Now concerning that day or hour no one knows — neither the angels in heaven nor the Son — but only the Father. “Watch! Be alert! For you don’t know when the time is coming. “It is like a man on a journey, who left his house, gave authority to his servants, gave each one his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to be alert. Therefore be alert, since you don’t know when the master of the house is coming — whether in the evening or at midnight or at the crowing of the rooster or early in the morning. Otherwise, when he comes suddenly he might find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert!” CSB

OBSERVATION: Am I living my life with expectancy? Is the blessed hope of Jesus Christ’s return impacting the way I live and the decisions I make each day?

As a believer in Jesus Christ I have been given eternal life. The wonderful promise in John 3:16 proclaims,

• “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 CSB

This eternal life does not begin when I die. It began the day I placed my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. Yet, even though I have the hope of eternal life, my days on this earth are still numbered. And just like the return of Jesus Christ, I do not know what this number is. Therefore, there are two important things I should be looking to with expectancy. The first is my union with Jesus Christ in heaven, and the second is His physical return to earth.

The reality is – both of them could take place at any moment. In the twinkling of an eye I could be in the Lord’s presence. So how does this affect the way I am living my life today?

Living with expectancy affects my rest. My personal homecoming, just like the return of Jesus Christ, is in the Father’s hands. He has numbered my days just like He has numbered the hairs on my head. I cannot add a minute to these days by worrying. However, I can redeem each moment of this life for His glory by living to please Him. I should be living with the expectation that Jesus’ call to me might happen at any moment. My hearts desire should be to be found living for His glory when this time comes.

Tim McGraw recorded a country hit that was titled – “Live like you were dying.” It was about a man who, faced with a serious illness, began to confront the possibility that his life might be coming to an end. This revelation caused him to assess his future, and it changed his actions. The chorus shared these sentiments.

He said

“I went skydiving

I went Rocky Mountain climbing

I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu

And I loved deeper

And I spoke sweeter

And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying”

And he said

“Someday I hope you get the chance

To live like you were dying”

Now, I am not recommending riding a bull name Fumanchu! However, the song does capture a great truth. We should not live like we have all the time in the world to do what we now is right. We should live each day like Jesus is coming at any moment, and we should do the things He has called us to do – TODAY!

Expectation is the cure for procrastination!

Lord, help me to live with great expectation. Help me to be alert, and to be obedient to Your calling in my life. Whatever You are calling me to do today, grant me the grace to do it now. Help me hold Your words closely to my heart.

• “And what I say to you, I say to everyone: Be alert!”

In Jesus Name!