Birth pangs

We are so excited! In a week or so, we’ll welcome Reese Elizabeth into our lives. She will be our first grandchild. Elizabeth and Mark live in Amarillo, Texas and we’ll be wearing out Interstate 40 between Branson and the Big A to spend time with our precious Reese. We are so proud of Elizabeth and Mark. They will be great parents and we’re excited to be grandparents.

In case Reese decides to come early, our car is filled with gas and our bags are packed. We’re ready to go whenever Reese is ready to come. Every phone call from Elizabeth is about the details of the doctor’s appointments and all the “what if’s.” Elizabeth is already having “birth pangs” and her contractions are happening every few days. By the way, a “birth pang” is defined as “one of the repetitive pains occurring before and during childbirth.”

Jesus talked about birth pangs with the disciples on the Mount of Olives. The disciples figured Jesus would set up His earthly kingdom at any time. Mark records Jesus’ words in Mark 13:8, “For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”©

Today is Easter and marks the end of Jesus’ first coming. But He’s coming again. There is a “delivery” coming when Jesus will set up His earthly Kingdom here on planet earth. Tons of scripture talk about what’s coming and of course, the book of Revelation gives us some details. We don't know when He’s coming, but we do know He is coming. As sure as Reese will be delivered in a few days, Jesus will return again to set up His Kingdom on planet Earth. Jesus’ words remind us to be ready. They remind us to have our bags packed and to be excited about His return. Paul calls that “the hope of His coming.”

So get excited! Live like Jesus could return tomorrow. Set your sights on things above. The birth pangs signal the return of our wonderful Savior and one thing is for sure- every day we’re one day closer to being with Him forever!