Our oldest daughter, Sarah, is now attending school in Georgia. By road
that is about 1900 miles away! We write e-mail back and forth quite often
and talk on the phone some, but there is nothing quite like being able to
see her face to face.
When we get together with other pastors from our mission organization
once a year for a conference, we often get to see folks we never see any
other time. Some of them mean a great deal to us. It gives us great joy
to see their recognition of us and get to spend time sharing what God has
been doing in our lives and theirs.
Paul was a passionate person who loved people. He often included
in his letters personal thoughts suggesting how much he wished he could
see and talk to them face to face. The Thessalonian church was especially
dear to his heart because of the great way they followed the Lord and supported
Paul. He said in 1 Thessalonians 2:7b,
that he was "eager with a great desire" to see their face.
In the following verse Paul reminds them of a great event yet
in future. In fact, each chapter ends with a statement about the Lord's
return. Someday we will stand in the presence to God when Jesus returns.
Will you and I be glad to see his face?
If in the next minute you were suddenly in the Lord's presence
because of His returning or your death, would you be ready to look into
his face? Be prepared first by believing in Jesus Christ as God's Son who
died for you! Accept Him as the one
who can give you eternal life. If you already know Him as your Savior, are
you living for him? Confess and He will forgive.
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