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HIDE AND SEEK.
Do you remember from your childhood years playing the game we called “Hide and Seek”? The idea was that one person would close their eyes and slowly count to 10, 20 (whatever) while the others in the group tried to hide in, under, nearby any object that was handy.
Having reached the agreed number, the counter would call out, “I’m Coming, ready or not!”’ and then proceed to search for those who had hidden themselves. The last person discovered was deemed to be the winner.
And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when He returns, you will be full of courage, (boldness, confidence, fearless) and not shrink back from him in shame. 1 John 2:28 (NLT)
There are a couple of observations that emerge from this verse.
1. “….when He returns…..” John is certain about this event. It is “when”, not “if”
2. There is more than one condition/attitude that will prevail on that momentous occasion
3. We are called to be active in the anticipation and preparation of the Lord’s return.
“I’m coming, ready or not!!”
The implications of this divine countdown are massive. Obviously John wants his readers to know that the Lord is returning to this world. Not everyone at any given time is excited about this reality. For some, this encounter will produce a sense of shrinking away from Him in shame. However, for others, they will welcome the Lord’s return with a sense of confidence, boldness.
“Are you ready?”
The determining factor is the condition of our relationship with Him. And we are directed to “remain in fellowship with Christ…”. Or, to use the word with which I was raised, “Abide in Christ”
It never ceases to evoke within me a strong sense of responsibility. What a tragedy if, after 50+ years of following Jesus, I hear Him call my name but my response is to shrink back in shame because I was not ready.
Coming, ready or not
