In a Hurry?

If there is one mantra that others would claim that I live by, it is the classic line "better late than never." For my entire adult life, I have tried to figure out why I find it difficult to be ahead (or even on) schedule. Sometimes, I crowd too much in the time allotted; sometimes, I add a stop to a busy schedule for (mostly) noble reasons; and sometimes, I simply loose track of time. Nonetheless, those who know me know that I am "time challenged". While this is typically not seen a as a positive character trait in humans, it is one that does have a very positive meaning in reference to God.

In Peter's second letter, we are reminded that God isn't late, as we humans consider tardiness, but He is delayed for a divine purpose:

Dear friends, don't let this one thing escape you: with the Lord one day is like 1,000 years, and 1,000 years like one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8-9, HCSB).

Did you catch the Lord's reason for delay? It is not that something has distracted Him from His intended purpose, it IS His intended purpose. For once this life ends; our final answer has been given to the supreme deal of forgiveness:

And just as it is appointed for people to die once-and after this, judgment- so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him (Hebrews 9:27-28, HCSB).

The only reason God has not sent Christ to the Earth for the second coming is that He wants others to hear the Gospel message. He is waiting and giving others a chance to believe and receive the salvation He offered them on Calvary's cross. Indeed His coming is better late, and the never isn't even a part of the equation - for He will come again.

So, with each day that passes, have we grown more complacent to His purpose, or are we hastening to the task - understanding that today may be your last day in the office; this hour may be your last at home; this commute may be the last time on this road before the clouds roll back and we see our Savior coming to claim us as His own.

May He find each of us faithfully serving, sharing His message with all we meet. If you haven't ever asked Jesus into your life, take a moment to read my story. If you haven't ever shared your faith with someone, start today. You'll see these are a few more times it is "better late than never!"