“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
During my teenage years, there were various celebrities that I longed to meet. As a young girl, I was easily swayed from one to another by a movie or a song, and my affections for them were fleeting, but my friends and I could spend hours talking about our current “crushes.” Some were actors; some were singers, and others were athletes. Posters were constantly going up and coming down in my room, and I dreamed of seeing each one in person.
I remember liking a particular actor who had written his memoirs. He was doing a book tour, and he was going to make an appearance at our town’s local bookstore! I was so excited! I had to go! I had to see him… meet him… and maybe even speak with him! I made great plans. The anticipation I had regarding attending this book signing event was indescribable! Most of my family and friends thought I was crazy, but I didn’t care! I was going to meet my idol!
I am grown now, and I realize that those childhood infatuations are hollow and misdirected. Nevertheless, as a teen I looked forward to concerts, theatrical productions, or sporting events where I would see the one that had garnered my favor, however short-lived, at that particular time in my life.
You would have thought I’d have grown out of this type of behavior, but I must confess that there is another individual with whom I am completely enamored. I am planning to be part of a future event in which he will appear, and I can hardly wait! He’s written an amazing book, and I love reading it over and over. I have read so much about him that I feel I know him personally already, but nothing will compare with seeing him face-to-face. Just to hear his voice and see his face fills me with an anticipation that goes beyond words! This person is unlike any other person I have ever heard about, read about or even met in my entire life! There is none that can compare to him, yesterday, today or forever! I love talking about him to others, and I love sharing his book with them as well.
Have you figured out to whom it is I am referring? It’s my Saviour, Jesus Christ! According to the Bible, He will be making an appearance shortly, and I plan to be there! (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
I may not be able to explain why I liked so many celebrities when I was a teenager, but I can give you many reasons why I love Jesus so much today. Here are a few:
- He is the One who created me! “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself.” (Isaiah 44:24)
- He is the One who redeemed me and made me a new person in Him. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- He is the One who loves me unconditionally. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
- He is the One who sustains me. “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.” (Psalm 3:5)
- He is my future. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3) “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
Just like when I was younger, the closer the event is, the more excited I become! Jesus is coming soon, and today, I am one day closer to meeting Him face-to-face than I was yesterday! I can hardly wait!
Oh, what a moment, when we see Jesus;
When we stand face to face in His embrace;
And thank Him for amazing grace,
Oh! what a moment, when we see Him.
(from “Oh, What a Moment” by Squire Parsons)
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)
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Isn’t there someone you know who is unaware that Jesus is coming? Won’t you tell them today, so they don’t miss His “glorious appearing”?