Soon will come that hour When with mighty power
Christ will come in splendor And will judgment render,
With the faithful sharing Joy beyond comparing.
( LSB 333:3)
I was jolted from deep sleep by a stern voice. My father was standing in the dark at my bedroom door, outlined by the light in the hallway.
“Time to go, Peter! We don’t want to be late for the flight.”
I turned over under my covers and groaned. I checked the digital alarm clock next to my bed (do people still have those)? It was 4 AM. We had a flight to Florida scheduled for eight o’clock. I knew we had plenty of time. I didn’t want to wait around in an airport for no reason. But my father insisted; he dragged the whole family into the car and drove us quickly to the airport. We arrived three hours early. Just as I expected – we waited in a dreary airport for hours.
The Church also is waiting. We are waiting for Christ to return and save us all. “Soon will come that hour.” But how much longer must we wait? How easy it is for us to get impatient for the Last Day, when “Christ will come in splendor.” Are we waiting for no reason?
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9, ESV).
It is better for God to take His time than to rush. There is a divine reason that we wait: our Lord wants the full number of His family. He will not abandon even one of his flock. God is patient with us as we are called to witness the Good News of Jesus to all who will hear. Let us be patient with our Father in heaven as He is patient with us.
Dear Father in heaven, with indescribable love, you delivered us from unending death by the
sacrifice of your Son. We thank you that soon we will enter into your presence in eternal joy
beyond comparing. Help us to be patient for that day – just as you are patient towards us. In
Jesus’ name, Amen.
Rev. Peter Deberny
Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, Mastic Beach
Junior Pastoral Counselor of LWML Atlantic District
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