“Dear friends, be building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping yourselves in God’s love, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Jude 20-21
Lord Jesus, there are so many things in life over which we have zero control. Like weather fronts, vacation bugs, the fish bite, other’s emotions, getting older—to name a few. But your half-brother, Jude, gave us four things we can control—anytime, everywhere, all the way Home:
Building ourselves up in the faith: How, Jesus? There’s many ways, some of the “biggies” include meditating on your Word, preaching the Gospel to our hearts daily, walking with friends who love you, and want to groan and grow in grace.
Praying in the Holy Spirit: Not just “saying our prayers”—but adoring you, Jesus—pondering your beauty, goodness, and truth. Seeing your hand and heart in creation. Fellowshipping with Abba so often and well, we delight in all of his answers to our prayers—including “Yes,” “No,” “Heck no,” “Not Yet,” “Yes, but not as you thought.”
Keeping ourselves in your love: Not earning more of your love, but swimming in its depths, marinating in its riches, contemplating its hope. Each of us will be preoccupied with something—whether it’s our fears, hurts, regrets, our kids’ choices, the next news bite, etc., etc., etc. But you call us to make your multidimensional love (Eph.3:19-20) our perpetual preoccupation, holy obsession, home address, and oxygen/water/bread. Thank you for this calling, Jesus.
Waiting for the mercy of your return: Not waiting for our kids/spouse to adore us, or our “barns” to be full enough; but waiting for the Day of your return, Jesus. The Day you return to finish making all things new and beautiful—including us, Hallelujah! So let it be, So Very Amen.