Eagerly Anticipating?

Have you thought about the Second Coming lately? Sorry, did I just come out of left field with that one? Well, I guess that would be appropriate. My point, however, is Scripture reminds us, again and again, to eagerly await Christ's coming, to look for the blessed hope. Peter says we should be "looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God." But, I have a problem, and I certainly don't mean I have a problem with God or His Word; I have trouble getting excited about "the end." Or, a new beginning, depending upon your view. I have a problem because I know many will perish. 

Years ago, I sat next to a friend in church. The pastor was talking about the depravity that exists in this world. I don't remember the specifics. Was he making a point about Christ's work at the cross or the timing of Christ's return? I can't say for sure, but I do know my friend responded aloud, "Come quickly, Lord Jesus, come." I, in my heart, was responding at exactly the same moment, "Lord, please wait. These people need You." 

When I read Bible passages that tell of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, I admit, I gloss over the "anxiously await" parts. I struggle with that. I have this image of Liam Neeson in black and white. Have you ever seen Schindler's List? In one of the final scenes, Neeson, as Oskar Schindler, looks at the faces of those who were rescued from the gas chambers because of his efforts and realizes he could have done more. "I threw away so much money," he says. "There will be generations because of what you did," a Jewish man responds. But, Oskar goes on, "I didn't do enough," and he begins to inventory his possessions, seeing them in terms of people he could have saved rather than by their worth to him personally. "This car...ten people right there...This pin...this is gold. Two more people."

I don't think anyone should look at a perishing world and think, "I need to watch more TV." How much time do I waste doing things I don't need to do? How much money do I waste buying things I don't need to buy? Am I looking at my time and my money as though those things were souls? How often do I simply see right through the people around me? The cashier, the garbage collector, the crossing guard, the politician, the pastor, my next-door neighbor, my family... I see them as human beings; perhaps, human beings who aren't courteous or truthful or friendly or grateful. And I do nothing, nothing of eternal value, anyway. Do I see them as dearly loved and in need of a Savior? How many times have I remained silent in self-preservation instead of opening my mouth in evangelization? Do I see my silence as the failure to bring a life, maybe more than one, to know Jesus Christ? Or am I just "minding my own business"? If I am Christ's, my business is to make disciples.

I want to know that when I face my Jesus I have done all that I could, that I have given my all as He gave His. I want to look toward that moment eagerly. But this desire to do more... What to do about it? Perhaps, ask the Holy Spirit to change me and give me the selflessness I need until the very end. And commit to praying more and speaking more boldly about Jesus Christ. And commit to surrendering more of my assets to ministries. And then, stick to my commitment as though lives depended upon it.