As Episcopalians, we don’t focus too much on Jesus coming again. We profess our belief that it will happen, and set aside a few weeks a year to contemplate it. But in general I think we avoid it. I didn’t realize this until I started to listen to Christian music, which often proclaims a yearning for Jesus to come and make the world better, or imply a rapture that will include all the good people taken up into heaven. I would sing the words, eventually contemplating the meaning, and wondering if I actually meant it.
I think Jesus’ return is great. I hope that it straightens out a lot of things that are such a mess here on earth. But selfishly, do I want it to happen tomorrow? I don’t really know.
Because I realize that in God’s fulfilled Kingdom my life will be drastically different. I will have to give up things, like stubbornness and selfishness and binge watching past seasons of Top Chef. I have created a comfortable life for myself, with just enough dysfunction and just enough self-improvement. What would be expected of me in this new situation, and am I able to do it?
In my rational and prayerful moments, I completely trust God to love me through it. And recognize it is my own selfish fears that prevent me from full embrace of this future. Change is hard, and I only like the changes I want. I realize how far I/we are from living the life we are called to live.
Of course the trick is not trying to control it, another one of my favorite sins. To let go and let God. To believe that the Sovereign Christ will establish love that will be compelling, joyful and everlasting. Something like an eternal trust fall.
Clearly I have to pray more about this. I hope you will join me.