Column by Bro. Terry Ivy
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3) The three most significant events in human history are the birth of Jesus Christ, His resurrection, and His return for those who know Him. Two have already happened, and we are waiting for the third one. Makes me want to shout just to think about it. In the midst of all we see happening in the world, the second coming of Jesus Christ is when God will make all things right!
The Bible describes the return of Christ as the hope of all believers. He is coming to gather unto Himself those who know Him and judge those who do not. Therefore, we must not let the cares of this life dim our hope or vision for that great event.
A couple of weeks ago, Susanne and I went to see a baseball game in Atlanta. No, we did not see Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, or any other Atlanta Brave player. Instead, we drove six hours to see our oldest grandson, Jagger James, play a t-ball game. It was more exciting than any professional game could have been, and it had a greater significance.
Jagger got on base several times, scored twice, and played 2nd base and catcher like a champ. In fact, he was selected ‘player of the game’ and got a game ball. Sue and I had to make a quick turnaround to head back home, so we left early Friday morning. While we were packing our car, I noticed Jagger was unusually quiet. As we got in the car to leave, he started crying like someone had stolen his favorite toy. However, he was crying because he did not want ‘Tootsie-Pop’ to leave. (Our grands call us ‘Tootsie-Pop.’)
We miss our Atlanta grandchildren something awful, as distance keeps us from being an active part of their life. As Jagger began to cry, Susanne and I teared up. We told him that we knew how he felt and we would return soon. We loved on him and drove off. The waterworks were rolling down our cheeks as we saw the desire Jagger had for our return.
As we drove off, I pondered one simple question—“Do we desire to see Jesus as bad as Jagger desires to see Tootsie-Pop?” Unfortunately, this world has a way of dulling our eyes and diverting our attention to things that do not really matter.
The trip to Atlanta proved to Jagger how much we love him. But I learned more than Jagger did. He demonstrated how pure love desires to embrace the object of its love. That evening, as the sun began to set, I stood in my driveway, thinking about Jagger and about the return of Christ. With tears rolling down my cheeks, I prayed with the saints of old, “Come quickly Lord Jesus!”
And as we told Jagger, I can hear the Lord saying… I will return soon!
