Regarding 2 Thessalonians, how do I apply this to myself?
I look forward to the day that Jesus comes to take me home!!!
I am thankful to be His worker at this time, even though it is a rough journey.
Regarding 2 Thessalonians, how do I apply this to my community?
Years ago, I had the blessing of serving as the youth minister in an Anglican church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. (I add this later: There came the point during my time at CCU when I left that denomination, and I stayed out, for specific doctrinal reasons I consider important. However, I still have friends who are Anglican. Praise be to God, I have friends in oodles of denominations.)
When serving at that church, I participated in the wonderful "Alpha" program. The person who was in charge of that teaching program at our church was extremely enthusiastic about "Alpha." I appreciated his enthusiasm, but I felt he often got carried away during the church announcement time as he would encourage people to participate in the next church "Alpha" program months in advance. One time it was early summer, and sure enough, he raised his hand during the announcements, and then he talked about the "Alpha" program which was coming up in the fall. Personally, I was ready to enjoy summer. On that day, or one soon thereafter, as he confidently talked about the upcoming program in the distant months, I amusingly thought to myself, '[He] definitely does not believe that Jesus could return at any time.' So as he continued to make the announcement Sunday after Sunday that summer, that became a personal joke for me.
However many months later, one day I was praying to God, and we somehow got on the topic of that man's announcements. I thought about my personal joke, thinking that the man does not think the return of Christ is imminent. Then I had a thought, which I personally knew came from God: "Do you?"
That got my attention. I had not thought about that. No, I did not, to be honest. From that time on, I quit joking about that man's announcements. And on the flip side, I became convicted that Jesus will return as He promised, at a time determined by the Father, which could be at any time.
It was a lesson to me that we need to focus on the work God has for us in the present, with expectation in our heart that Jesus is going to return!
Hunter Irvine
