Maineville Lighthouse Church

 

I was thinking…Pastor Steve

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But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is

like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." 

2 Peter 3: 8  (NIV)

 

      I was thinking how much time has passed since we worshiped together, and this verse popped to mind.  At one church, we had a fellow my age who was always running late.  It was just in his DNA, and it had been passed on to his children.  I loved him and his family, but you just knew he would not show up when he was supposed to.  I used to say that he was similar to the Lord in how he told time; "With the Lord and George (not his real name), a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  So his watch has years on it instead of hours."

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      We've just gone through some of the letters Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica.  He wrote about Jesus coming back, the same as what Peter was writing about.  This is evidence to me that Jesus had taught that He would, indeed, be coming back.  Sometimes, I pray that it would be soon, but, most of the time, I want Him to wait.  Why?  First, if Jesus comes soon, we would be done with all the foolishness in this world.  Then, when He comes back, those that have hurt children, seniors, and innocent people will be dealt with.  Those people who have lied, stolen property, caused panic, and played on people's emotions (whether in the news, government, or social media) will finally have to answer for their actions.

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      The reason I want Him to wait is because I know it will be devastating to many I know and love.  Jesus will come back without warning.  That means if you haven't already accepted Him, it will now be too late.  That may be why I keep mentioning the importance of having Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

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      This isn't what I was going to write about when I picked this Scripture, so let me get back on track.  These last two and a half months have seemed like a long time.  It's been 77 days since the last time we had a service.  We missed ten Sundays.  And Dona and I have truly missed having fellowship with you all.

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      These two and half months seemed like such a long time, but in reality...in the timeline of life, it's relatively short.  That's about the same time we had for summer vacation, and think how fast that time flies by.  I just saw on the news that the Wright Brothers had their first flight a little over a hundred years ago.  Now, we have a space station people fly to and from, and we don't think anything of it!  A lot has happened in a relatively short amount of time.

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      Two things I need to mention.  The West Ohio Annual Conference has been postponed from June to September.  I'm not sure how that will work, or even what proposals will be up for votes, but I ask that you would keep Gary Miley and me, as well as the conference, in your prayers.  Also, the United Methodist General Conference that was to meet last month has been postponed until September of 2021!  I am frustrated, as I am sure many of you are, with the delay on voting for a plan that would settle the division within our denomination and allow us to separate from the denomination and retain our assets, should we choose to do so.  I guess this is what connects me back to the verse above.  God's timing is different than ours.  We often want things to happen quickly, but God says, "Wait."  No reason, just wait.

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      One of the songs I did for Wednesday Worship with Pastor Steve was "Perfect Timing" by Scott Underwood.  In the bridge, he wrote, "After the testing comes the blessing...." I'm guessing it comes from this verse in James, Chapter 1: 12 - "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."  My prayer is that after this two and a half month "testing" there is a blessing.  I also pray that, after a year and a half delay on the General Conference, there will be another blessing for those who love the Lord.  We just need to remember that He has perfect timing.  God bless and may all of you Dads have a great Father's Day!