My Paisley Chair

1 Thes 4:18 “Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.”

Comfort, not scare the “bejabbers” out of kids, with these words! I suppose as I get older these words take on their intended meaning, however I can’t help but remember the way these verses impacted me as a child.

Having been brought up in an environment of a constant eye on the horizon for the imminent return of Christ, the verses referencing the “thief in the night” or “one will be taken” were familiar. After hearing sermons on the return of Christ or heaven, I can remember waking in the middle of the night to a dark and silent house feeling the need to check to see if my family members were still in their beds asleep. I was never afraid of a home invasion or burglar taking our stuff, however a heaven invasion that took people, well that’s a different story. I knew enough to recognize the HOLY life requirement for getting into heaven was not possible for regular people like me, only saints like my grandmother Mama ‘Tool could be secure. Thus, the “scare the bejabbers” reference.

Cycles and seasons of life, as well as global events, seem to bring attention to the promises in scripture that Jesus is coming. When it captures my attention and when it blows up Facebook are not always in sync. However, today with Israel in every news broadcast, these scriptures are being brought out and dusted off with urgency. I can only hope the intention of scaring people saved is not afoot.

Where is the comfort these scriptures were meant to bring? It is a comfort to know that:

• Jesus keeps His promises,
• He is aware of all global events as well as the details of my life,
• It is possible for regular people to be found holy and blameless,
• We can be ready and prepared and not left behind,
• He is preparing a place for us.
• He will never leave us.
• Holy Spirit is not only with, but in us!

Within the context and culture of scriptures referencing the return of Christ, these verses were written during persecution and tribulation. And yes, these words did bring great comfort! Assurance that God is fully aware of our circumstances and not a single detail of our life has escaped His divine attention, there’s a comfort. If the covenant of night and day can’t be broken, neither can His promises to us, there’s a comfort.

While these truths capture our attention during trying seasons of life, there is also great comfort in the application of this assurance when life is grand, and all is well with our soul.

The promise of eternity is ever before us, however, the promise of tomorrow here on earth is not!

Life is fragile and as fleeting as a vapor or delicate flower. The comfort and caution of scripture is meant to encourage us to always live life to the fullest, every day as though eternity could begin with our next breath. Living life ready and prepared to meet the Master of the Universe, knowing that we have been pleasing to Him, there’s a comfort. Knowing that we can be found blameless (not faultless) before the throne of God because of Christ, there’s a comfort. The promise of God’s faithfulness to provide a way of escape from temptation, there’s a comfort.

Life is meant to be lived to the fullest in confident assurance, not in fear, regardless of the season of life we are currently in. There is hope in the Hope of Glory, Jesus Christ, the anchor of our soul and soon coming King!