Longing To See Jesus

I have fought the good fight, I have

finished the race, I have kept the

faith. Now there is in store for me

the crown of righteousness, which

the Lord, the righteous Judge, will

award to me on that day—and not

only to me, but also to all who have

longed for his appearing.

                   2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV 

     We have children and grandchildren who live out of town. When I know they are coming to visit, I make preparations. I dust, put clean sheets on the beds and vacuum. Then I prepare a meal and anxiously await the moment when I will see them pull in the driveway and jump out of the SUV—running towards me with squeals of excitement and smiles of joy. Whether it is our children and grandchildren who live hours away or those who live just down the street, I long to see them and to put my arms around them.

     The older I grow the more I long to spend time with family and friends, and the closer the time comes for my departure from this world, the more I long to see Jesus.

     While my body grows older and the physical things that I used to so easily accomplish take longer and leave me exhausted, I find myself remembering loved ones who fought the good fight, finished the race and are now sitting at the feet of Jesus; I long for the day when I too will have that privilege.

     As the Apostle Paul recognized his “earth journey” was nearing an end, he reminded Timothy that all who have longed for Jesus shall surely see Him. The moment I breathe my last breath, this Jesus, whom I have loved since childhood, will welcome me into His presence. The waiting to meet Jesus, who loved me before I was formed in my mother’s womb, will be over. The longing to see Him with my eyes and not my heart alone will be fulfilled.

     I admit that some days I long for Him more than others. Some days I reach my heart towards heaven and pour out my hope that today will be the day when He returns for His children. But then I remember—those who do not know Him will be left behind and never again have the opportunity to accept Christ as Lord, and even in my longing to see Him I ask for another day to see one more soul enter into the Family of God.

     So while my heart is beating in anticipation of that moment when I see Him face to face, I continue to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith as I am longing to see Jesus.

 

© Joyce Powell