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Jesus says to everyone who is following Him, "Watch." I think of expectancy, an attitude of expectation. The context is Jesus' teaching that He is coming again, but no one knows the day nor the hour when that will happen. Because of this, and the fact that we must be ready to meet Him when He returns, we must carefully watch, be alert, be expecting Him at any time.

Do I live "watching"? No. Is there an excitement or anticipation concerning Christ's return? I sadly have to say no. But as God helps me, I will live with a watchful eye and attitude. For the believer, Christ's return brings final salvation. We will be ushered into the presence of God and eternity will have begun. The new heaven and the new earth will be home. We will worship God, no more tears, no more sorrows, no more sickness. I don't really understand all that heaven will be, but it will be exponentially better than anything we've seen or known here. And that has to be incredible, because God has given us a beautiful earth to live on here.

How do I live with a watchful attitude? How does this impact daily living? Is it having a consciousness that time here is not forever, but limited and I have a job to do for Christ, "go and make disciples"? Perhaps it's being more intentional as I lve each day, understanding that many around me are not ready to meet Christ. They are not watching. Maybe it is to be a motivator to help stay focused on the privilege before me.

In the letters to the Thessalonians, Paul writes of Jesus' return as if it should encourage and comfort. It's like it should bring a level of excitement. So, each day, should I consciously be aware or intentionally recognize that today could be the day? That's a different way of thinking than I've had before. I don't think this is to be a pins and needles type of mindset, where I'm always on edge, wondering, "Is that Him? Is that Him? Is that Him?"