While we wait for something to come, we are easily distracted from things that need doing. For example, while we wait for someone to arrive to take us somewhere, we could stand by the window watching. Or we could unload the dishwasher. If we wait for an important arrival in the mail, we could run to the mailbox every few minutes, or we could focus on the next thing that needs our attention.
Jesus is coming back. He promised. He didn’t tell us when, but He did tell us there would be signs to let us know the time is close. We don’t know when He will appear, but the events of our world indicate history is wrapping up. How should we wait?
We could spend time trying to figure out a date. We could debate with others about how close His appearing may be. The Bible tells us that is a waste of time. We could draw into ourselves, enjoy what we have, and ignore the news. That doesn’t accomplish anything.
Or, we could spend our days doing whatever God has equipped us for and counseled us to do. When Jesus returned to heaven, He told His disciples to go into all the world, teach others about Him, and make disciples. God’s instructions to us are simple and clear. Love God, obey His teaching, and love our neighbors.
The prophet Daniel received some dramatic visions 500 years before Christ was born. The visions gave an accurate picture of world events and of Jesus’ first coming. His visions also outline the course of history still in the future. We know a lot about things that will happen in the world from Daniel’s visions and from the book of Revelation. But we don’t know when.
Daniel was disturbed by what he saw. But he didn’t spend the rest of his life obsessing over details that won’t be fully understood until they happen. The first chapters of the book of Daniel in the Bible reveal Daniel’s character. He was committed to honoring God with his life, regardless of the circumstances he was in. His family, along with the rest of Israel, had been taken captive by the king of Babylon. Daniel determined he would live for God, wherever he was. While he served God, he served with faithfulness the pagan king whose authority he was under. Because of Daniel’s commitment to integrity, he was given more responsibility. Daniel influenced the people around him and some of them came to understand and respect the God he served.
The latter chapters of Daniel’s story relate his prophetic visions. Daniel didn’t understand everything he saw, but we can see now how some of his visions have already been fulfilled with incredible accuracy. Much of what Daniel foretells of things still in the future are hard for us to understand now, but in a general way, God has revealed what is to come. He has revealed enough to give us hope. After Daniel saw his visions, he went about the king’s business (Daniel 9:27). He continued to be faithful with what God had entrusted to him.
It is a lesson for us. We don’t know exactly how the future will unfold. We do know Jesus is coming back. He will judge the world broken by sin. Those who are in Christ will not come under judgment for sin, but each of us will be accountable for what we have done with what God has given us.
While we wait, let us be busy with whatever God has entrusted to us. In our families, our
neighborhoods, our jobs, and wherever we are, may we be faithful to live for God. May we be busy with the King’s business.
What joy and blessing will come to that faithful servant when the master comes home to find him serving with excellence! Matthew 24:46 TPT
How are you spending your time and resources while we wait for the Lord’s return? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
© 2026 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Thanks for the post, Phyllis. It is helpful to be reminded to spend my time the way God wants. Difficult, but with God’s help, I am more likely to succeed.
Thank you, Joni. May each of us be found faithful.