Rejoice in the Lord Always: and again I say, Rejoice.  — Philippians 4:4

This has been a rough couple of weeks.  I’m not going to act like a lot of it hasn’t been self-induced, but it has been rough.  I’m also more than aware that, what I call rough, another could probably call a cakewalk.  My mind keeps going back to Philippians 4:4 . . . I want to rejoice.  The words at the end of the previous verse say, “whose names are written in the book of life.”  I know that my name is there.  I’m holding onto that more than ever right now.

I looked back at 2 Samuel 12 when the worst happened to King David.  He lost his child.  He was fasting and praying like he probably never had before for his and Bathsheba’s child to live.  When the child died, what helped him more than anything?  Simply knowing where he was going at the end of his life.  “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:23). I hope and pray that I, nor any of you, have to endure anything like this.  But it is pretty amazing that we are told what to do:  keep our minds on the eternal, and not the temporary. 

Philippians 2:14 says that we should do everything without grumbling or complaining.  I haven’t been too great at this lately.  The verses do go on to tell me why I should get good, though.  God wants me to be blameless and pure.  He wants me to shine like the stars.  He wants this because other people are watching me live.  Why would anybody want the eternal life and the peace that I say I have if it obviously makes little difference in me when life happens?

Verse 16 says that the Day of Christ is coming.  We will all stand before Him one day.  It is appointed unto man once to die; and after this to face judgement. (Hebrews 9:27).  It just feels like life is on an accelerated pace right now.  It feels like we are racing towards the end.  I remember hearing in church all the time when I was younger that the Lord would soon return.  I thought of Christ’s return all the time, especially when I was somewhere I didn’t belong doing something I shouldn’t be doing.  I haven’t thought for a while that He could really return in my lifetime. 

I’m sure thinking it now.

Lord, it is not for us to know the day or the hour of your return.  It is for us to live this Christian life with joy.  You found me at my most sinful and wicked.  You knew the path of destruction that I was on.  You picked me up, cleaned me up, forgave me of all my sins, and to this day You are teaching me how to live.  Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me, Lord.  Bless me, keep me, and make Thy face to shine upon me . . . be gracious to me.  Help me to truly be a light that so shines before men.  Help me truly be prepared for the day that I stand before You.  Help me truly help others be prepared as well.  There is and never will be another like You, Lord!  Amen.