As parents we’ve all heard these words. Maybe on the way to a new park or a friend’s house, or maybe on vacation. We were on a road trip just last week from our home in Oregon to Silverwood, in Idaho, when we heard these words.

With three hours behind us and five kid-friendly traveling hours to go, we weren’t ready to start that count down. Especially knowing Idaho was only our first stop on a road trip leading onward to Yellowstone and then the Tetons.

A little while later I read these events in the news:

• 90 new martyrs in Nigeria
• Over 40k dead in Gaza
• In Sudan 11,500 homes collapsed due to flooding
• Glacier melting in Alaska causes flooding, as well as flooding in NY and the Southeast US
• Mutilation of bodies as God created them

My heart began to utter familiar words, “How long, oh Lord. How long until we get there. How long until You return and take us away from this sinful place? ” It’s more than childish impatience it is a vexing of our righteous souls. The whole earth groans for His return.

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:22-25

Do you ever feel that way? A deep pang of woe. A longing to be out of this high-pressured place surrounded by a cry so different from our heart’s cry for God, all things humble and holy and true. A safe space—to sooth the longing of our heart to be near Him, even if we aren’t there yet. 

Lord, fill us with You, sensing your nearness and kindness. We ask You to display your power again, Lord, so the world can see and fear and learn the love of God.

We know You wait to return until all things are fulfilled including all those who need to call on You but haven’t yet. We wait prayerfully, and I hope patiently to see You at work. We want to see You face-to-face. We desire for our loved ones to stop suffering. That’s a good thing, right? It’s okay to long for you. David said in the Psalms: Better is one day in Your court than a thousand elsewhere.

He could say that because He spent time with You. We need time with You. Let our moments now satisfy us and prepare us for our destination, heaven. If it isn’t time yet, let us use our time wisely. Hasten the coming of the day of our Lord:

• Making the most of our moments
• Sharing Your hope to this messed up world
• Loving others as You showed us

We know You will come back. You tell us in Your word You will.

But we also know from the Bible, God doesn’t return until:

• The falling away (rebellion) takes place 2 Timothy 3:1-9
• The last martyr dies Revelation 6:9-11
• The last person, who will surrender to you, does so 2 Peter 3:9

You are worth the wait. Each soul is worth the wait. The character being formed in us is worth waiting for too. So, we will wait, expectantly on You. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.

Revelation 22:12-15: 

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Prayer:

I trust You are returning, Lord. Help us make the most of every day, so when You return, You will find us faithful. Give us extreme discernment. Deepen our roots in Your word and in knowing you, so we won’t fall away. We never leave what we trust. Please help us endure to the end. I can’t wait to spend eternity with You. Help me not to be selfish and just wait for Your return, help me to plant and water seeds until the final day.