Count Down Fever

“And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:8 NLT

As a child, I can vividly remember the times when we visited our grandparents. They lived a considerable distance from Florida, which is where I spent most of my growing up years. Crowded into our station wagon, all of us children in the back would take turns asking our parents as to how much longer it would be – ‘til we get there. Our excitement over seeing them, coupled with our boredom of sitting still in a car, was often more than our juvenile minds and bodies could stand. Trips to see Grandma, and especially Grandpa, were one of our favorite adventures in life.

Since we visited our grandparents infrequently, and because of our overwhelming anticipation, my siblings and I willingly participated in this well-practiced game of count down fever. It helped click away the time to know precisely how many more hours were left, and brought some much-needed relief to our car fever. Additionally, it absolutely annoyed our parents, something from which every child derives immense satisfaction!

Me and my brothers, taken a long time ago!

Playing the ‘how much longer’ game is not the only count down amusement for children. There is the ‘how many more days until my Birthday party’ or until Christmas or an upcoming vacation. Often, the counting down involves hours and not days when some fun outing is pending on the daily agenda. In general, it does not take much to excite kids and to get them hyped up with anticipation about some wonderful event.

Kids get it in terms of joyous expectancy. Grown-ups are slower to the punch. We have our moments of excitement, but then we remember all the responsibilities left undone. Our feverish anticipation sputters under cumbersome tasks and necessary obligations. Unlike children, adults may experience enthusiasm over an upcoming event, but feel obliged to contain those sentiments out of deference to responsibility. Children carry their excitement around; it spills over onto everything they do. Adults bottle it up and put the container on some shelf.

Jesus does not want His followers to lose their anticipation of His soon return. As cited in 2 Timothy, we should be eagerly looking forward to His appearing. We should be longing to see him with count down fever. For those who love Jesus and are really His, eagerly awaiting that return is but a natural overflow of that love. It is always in the back of your mind. You cannot help but yearn for the Rapture.

Unfortunately, only God knows when Christ will return. We can only speculate. Therefore, many Believers do exactly what they do with other anticipated happenings, they stow away their excitement, especially since His return has been so long since delayed.

Since God instead desires fervent anticipation, and even expects it based on the verse above, how do we stoke the fires of our yearning, while at the same time mesh it with occupying until He comes? How do we avoid becoming so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good? I will be the first to admit that I struggle in this area. I often tip the scales in eager yearning; I don’t have to fan that flame. I likely spend much more time longing than I do living out His calling. God wants a balance.

In order to help maintain this balanced perspective of excited waiting coupled with obedient following, I compiled a handy count down list for use prior to His coming. I AM NOT A DATE SETTER, so do not assume that these hypothetical numbering of days below are a prediction of when He returns. Instead, they are a mechanism to inspire and energize an urgent fervency for His appearing.

Any enthusiasm about the Rapture must always be tempered with an assurance of being ready; hence, not only is the list intended as a motivation tool to increase our yearning, but also as a wake up call for preparedness. We can never do enough to earn entrance into heaven, but true Believers must have evidences of their faith.

The following hypothetical situations narrow by priority based on readiness and eagerness for His return. I pray that this list will prompt others to be good stewards of the time remaining, as well as to fan the flames of count down fever!  He could come at any moment. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!

 IF THE RAPTURE WERE IN ONE MONTH, I WOULD:

• Worry less, trust more
• Regret less, enjoy more
• Complain less, appreciate more
• Withhold less, give more
• Criticize less, edify more
• Frown less, laugh more
• Shun less, love more
• Resent less, forgive more
• Sin less, imitate Christ more
• Babble less, listen more
• Slack less, read the Word more
• Gossip less, encourage more
• Evade less, witness more
• Brood less, dance more
• Daydream less, meditate on Him more
• Wander less, abide more
• Petition less, praise more
• Doubt less, believe more
• Look down less, gaze upward more
• Rush less, rest more
• Brag less, uplift more
• Despair less, hope more
• Wish less, be content more
• Question less, adore more
• Argue less, understand more
• Venture less, follow Jesus more
• Shoulder less, depend more
• Vacation less, serve more
• Separate less, pray more
• Cling to earth less, seek Jesus more

IF THE RAPTURE WERE IN ONE WEEK, I WOULD:

• Worry less, trust more
• Withhold less, give more
• Shun less, love more
• Sin less, imitate Christ more
• Slack less, read the Word more
• Evade less, witness more
• Daydream less, meditate on Him more
• Wander less, abide more
• Petition less, praise more
• Doubt less, believe more
• Look down less, gaze upward more
• Rush less, rest more
• Question less, adore more
• Separate less, pray more
• Cling to earth less, seek Jesus more

IF THE RAPTURE WERE IN ONE DAY, I WOULD:

• Worry less, trust more
• Shun less, love more
• Slack less, read the Word more
• Evade less, witness more
• Petition less, praise more
• Doubt less, believe more
• Separate less, pray more
• Cling to earth less, seek Jesus more

IF THE RAPTURE WERE IN ONE HOUR, I WOULD:

• Worry less, trust more
• Shun less, love more
• Evade less, witness more
• Doubt less, believe more
• Cling to earth less, seek Jesus more

IF THE RAPTURE WERE IN ONE SECOND, I WOULD:

• Cling to earth less, seek Jesus more

*I WOULD THEN CLOSE MY EYES FOR THE LAST TIME ON THIS EARTH AND OPEN THEM TO GAZE UPON JESUS FOREVER!

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