It happens every year for Christmas. My kids come up with one or two things that they really, really, really want. A few years back, our oldest wanted a remote-control helicopter. He was nine years old. We tried to reason with him, redirect him, give him other options but, in the end, he didn’t relent. So we gave in. We got him the helicopter.
He was thrilled on Christmas morning and the first time he got to fly it! A hope fulfilled. That lasted about 24-hours until he crash landed it on our dirt road, taking out at least one of the propeller blades. He begged us to fix it but, let’s be honest – the toy was just beyond his capabilities. The now-wounded helicopter sat in our front closet for a few years, never to take flight again.
When it comes to hope, we humans really are such fickle creatures. We put our hope in things that don’t bring true satisfaction. We chase after sports teams, hobbies, relationships, the latest gadget, money, success – all good things that, ultimately, don’t satisfy.
Hope of Christ’s Return
How many of us are truly setting our hope on Christ’s return? It is so easy to get caught up in the things of this world, meeting the daily needs of those around us, the latest fashion or home décor trends, our kids’ soccer or baseball teams.
We let our focus shift from the eternal to the temporal. At times, we even forget that this world is not our home, and we were made for another world. God has given us beautiful gifts to enjoy, but He has also given us the hope of heaven; a longing for eternity where our hearts should yearn for Christs’ return.
Longing for the Day
Today in church, we talked about this very hope. For me, the hope of Christ’s return has never been so preeminent as it has been for the past year and a half, since February 24, 2022. Our family are missionaries in Poland. We never imagined we would live next to a war. Helping to bring humanitarian aid and relief to refugees, having close Ukrainians friends, and continuing to watch the destruction and death caused by the opposing army has forever changed us. We do not understand why God is allowing this evil.
Our world is broken. Whether you are living through a broken relationship, have been diagnosed with a chronic or terminal disease, or are experiencing loss in another way, things are not as they ought to be.
This past year my heart has often cried out, “How long, O Lord?” But instead of being angry or confused, surprisingly, my next thoughts have become, “Come, Lord Jesus, Come.”
- Come, fix this pain.
- Come, bring peace on earth.
- Bring peace to Ukraine.
- Come, comfort the broken-hearted.
- Restore your righteous reign on Earth.
- Do away with sin and suffering. Let it be no more.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Christ’s return is my only hope. As the world is more broken now than it seems it has ever been, my heart longs for the day…
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Look! The residence of God is among human beings. He will live among them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more—or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.”
– Revelation 21:3-4
God is a promise keeper. He has promised to come back for us.
This advent, may our hearts long for Christ’s return like never before, as we await not only “His coming” as a babe, but “His coming” as redeemer, restorer, and King on the Earth.
