It’s easy to complain about the problems in the world right now. Where I live, the themes are unimaginative: crime, the government, disrespectful youth… But this isn’t the bible’s perspective.
Right now is the time that the prophets longed to see. The saints of old searched for it, they dreamed of it, and if they could have chosen a time to live, this would be it! Our ‘right now’ is the age of grace. We experience the glories that followed the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 1:12). The things that we see, the angels longed to look at!
No age before this has had heaven’s doors open the way they are now. All are invited to come in, and when we do, all of the riches of God are ours in Christ – there is nothing withheld from us. No other time has known the potential for such unity between people. A common gratitude and hope to bind us together tighter than blood or history. What love is now possible! What fellowship! No age before this has had forgiveness so freely offered. No age has known such certainty of resurrected life, such comfort through trials, such hope.
What a blessing to live right now! The key to revelling in it is given to us in Colossians 3:1-4:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
The ‘earthly things’ with which we can so easily become fixated warp our perspective. What is ultimately real is not the thin reality of the things in front of us but that our lives are held by Christ, hidden in him. Right now, we are seated with him, and we know that when he appears, we will too.
What a time to be alive! Right now: in the year 2023 of this age of grace. May we appreciate that we have what the angels wanted, what the prophets longed to see. May we set our minds on things above and live with wonder and gratitude.
Simone Richardson lives in Cairns with her husband, Andrew, and their 2 dogs. She is a part of Cairns Presbyterian Church and loves to hear Christians sing songs rich in the gospel.
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