Until

One of my favorite words is “until.” It’s a word of hope and promise and also of direction. It’s a word that can pull you forward while at the same time setting your course and direction. We often say to each other “until we meet again,” holding out the promise of that future togetherness. Or, we might say to a child, “carry on with these activities until I come back,” giving direction and purpose to be held accountable in light of the promised return.

When Jesus was sharing the passover meal with his disciples on the night of His arrest, He said to them, “I won’t partake of this again, until… that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matt 26:29) What a remarkable promise! And it tells us so much. It tells us that there will be a period of time in between now and then. It tells us that Jesus expects we will be with Him in His Father’s kingdom. It tells us that He is also looking forward to that time. It pulls us forward to His return.

Knowing that He would be going, He promised to send to them and to us His Holy Spirit to be with us forever (John 14:16). So that in the between time, the “until” time, we’d have an advantage in living in the here and now. “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7)

Indeed, we have the greatest source of help, strength, hope and courage that could come to us from the Father of lights, if we stand in the victory of Christ and receive His Holy Spirit. How are you living in the between time? Are you actively waiting for His return? Are you living in a way that matters?

Father, increase our faith and teach us to live, really live, in the “until” time, as we eagerly wait for the return of Your dear Son and our dear Savior, Jesus, the One and Only. In His name I pray. Amen.

Until next week, dear ones, live expecting to be with Him forever.