As Christians, we hear a lot about The Alpha and Omega, the Everlasting Father, the Conquering King of Revelation. We study and learn about the triumphant Bridegroom coming to save us. We pray to the Almighty Father to return, to save us from this earth, to save us from ourselves. In our churches we hear a lot about Someday, about Heaven, about the New Earth. We long for the day when Jesus will return and “wipe every tear from [our] eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
Someday is something awesome to think about, but what about today?
What about the order of things now?
What about the young wife who became a widow now?
What about the family turned upside down by unexpected trauma now?
What about the devastating illness and medical bills now?
What about the car accident, layoff, divorce, or toxic relationship I’m going through now?
It seems we all have problems today, but we don’t hear a whole lot about the Savior that we need today.
When disaster strikes and we’re looking for comfort today, a well-meaning Christian may make a statement meant to help, but instead leaves a sour taste in the mouth. A loved one dies, and “you’ll meet him again” or “the next thing she sees will be Jesus” with a smile and a nod. You lose your steady income and “God has a plan.” You live with a debilitating mental illness or cannot bear children, and “your body will be whole in heaven.” The statements may be true, but they don’t help a hurting heart in the here and now.
It’s like the old saying goes: give a man a fish and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime. What if it takes awhile for the man to learn to make his own catch? What does he eat in the meantime? Do we all just starve while waiting for the end, the promised saving?
The answer is no.
Jesus said “Let not your heart be troubled.” He said, “believe.” He said, “there’s space for you in my house, and if it weren’t true, I wouldn’t say it!” He said, “if you know Me, you know My Father.”
“Ask what you like in My name, and you will have it.”
“If you love me, keep my commandments.”
“I will not leave you orphans.”
“I will send a Helper.”
“I’m going away, but I leave you with peace.”
This message has been bombarding me lately–the message of a Today Jesus. The cherry met the top of the icing on Sabbath morning when I listened to a message on the Elevation Church podcast called “Peace in My Pocket.” It’s what I’ve been feeling. It’s looking under the couch for your phone while using your phone flashlight to look. It’s searching for sunglasses when they’re on your head. It’s losing your wallet and finding it in your pocket.
We’re all looking to the future for a Jesus that is here today.
