Monday Devotional: December 4, 2023

Bible Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-15a (NRSVUE)

⁸ But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be destroyed with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. ¹¹ Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, ¹² waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and destroyed and the elements will melt with fire? ¹³ But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home. ¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish, ¹⁵ and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation.

This time of the year feels a lot like those long drives many of us take as a part of our family vacations. I’ve finally packed everything, herded the kids into the car, and gotten on the road. I relax and begin to enjoy the trip. That sense of peace does not last long, however. From the back of the car come the words that no parent wants to hear, “Are we there yet?”

Waiting is never easy, especially if you feel your very life might depend on what comes next. The community reading this epistle might fit into that category. They’ve heard the story. They’ve left their previous lives to come into community around the story of Jesus and his teachings. They’ve changed everything in anticipation of his return. The months turn into years, the years into decades. Where is he? When is he coming? Some have returned to their old lives.

The writer of Second Peter takes a more patient approach to his congregation than I did with my kids, but the message remains the same. The world will come to an end and Christ will return when God decides — period. God’s sense of time and perspective differs from ours, yet God is immensely patient. God wants no one left behind.

But since we cannot know God’s timing, we can put the time we have to good use. We can live our lives in anticipation of history’s fulfillment. We can do good and do it well. We can let our actions and words reflect the hope that we have been given by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

We have plenty left to do before the big day. Perhaps we should quit wondering where Jesus is and keep the light of love and welcome on in our hearts until he arrives. He’ll get here when he gets here.

Prayer

Jesus, my light of love and welcome is on. I await your salvation. Amen.

By Jonathan C. Wallace, The Upper Room Disciplines 2023, page 406.

Join us for ADVENT BIBLE STUDY!

“Heaven and Earth: Advent and the Incarnation” by Will Willimon

Session 2: Surprised
Bible Readings: Mark 1:1-8, Psalm 139:1-18

Meeting Time:
Zoom Session every Monday at 6:00 pm. (Nov. 27 to Dec. 18)
In-person Session every Wednesday at 1:00 pm. (Nov. 29 to Dec. 20)
Conference Room, McGhee Building