the end of all things is near

Last night at bible study we started back on our 1 Peter study, SP couldn’t be there as his flight didn’t get back in time so one of the other guys lead us through a study. It was really great to look at God’s word together, we first looked at Psalm 34 which really reflects what 1 Peter 3:8-22 has to say.

We were all really challenged by the part that comes just after:

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” 1 Peter 4:7

I was really challenged that “the end is near”, I mean do I really believe that? Yes I believe Jesus will return but do I believe it will be in my life time? I think I imagine it won’t be in my life time I think it will be in hundreds even thousands of years time, but what do I have to base that on – the bible? No, my gut feeling – Hmmm well that can’t be trusted. It is possible that Christ might return in my life time, he could come back tomorrow for all I know. With that in mind, do I live life like he will return tomorrow, if I did what would that look like. Would it look any different? Would is change how I talk to my husband, how I relate to my friends, how I respond and work with my work colleagues, how I treat my parents, the time I choose to spend with God in his word and in prayer, how much time I spend watching TV or what I do with my time full-stop?

I want to wake up each morning with that as a reality, Jesus could return any moment and am I ready, am I living my life, the things I do, say and think with the thought of Jesus coming to take me home tomorrow and if so what would I do differently?