Before My Plans Are Finished
"He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" — Revelation 22:20
Do you really want Jesus to come back today, or would you rather He wait until you finish a few things?
I remember being in college and thinking about the second coming of Christ. I believed it, but I remember praying, "Lord, I'd sure like to get married first." Then I got married, and I started thinking, "Lord, I'd really like to have kids before You come." And after a while, after having a bunch of kids, you're down on your knees saying, "Come, Lord Jesus, come!"
We laugh, but many of us are quietly asking Jesus to hold off until our plans are finished. We want to see the business grow, the house paid off, and the grandkids graduate. There's nothing wrong with any of those things. But if our hearts are tied down here, the promise of His coming starts to feel more like an interruption than a hope.
I told our congregation that I would love for Jesus to interrupt my sermon and come right then. I meant it. Nobody would be upset about the sermon being cut short, I promise you.
The very last prayer in the Bible is three words long: "Come, Lord Jesus." It's the prayer of people who know this world isn't their home. We sing a song here written by Stephen McWhorter that cries out those same three words, and every time we sing it, I feel my grip on this world loosen a little bit.
That's what Jesus wants to do in you. He doesn't want you to stop dreaming or planning. He wants you to hold those plans with an open hand, because the best thing on your calendar is His return.
Why don't you pray those words with me right now? Come, Lord Jesus. If saying them feels hard, ask Him to show you what you're holding onto. Then give it to Him and pray it again.
Do you really want Jesus to come back today, or would you rather He wait until you finish a few things?
I remember being in college and thinking about the second coming of Christ. I believed it, but I remember praying, "Lord, I'd sure like to get married first." Then I got married, and I started thinking, "Lord, I'd really like to have kids before You come." And after a while, after having a bunch of kids, you're down on your knees saying, "Come, Lord Jesus, come!"
We laugh, but many of us are quietly asking Jesus to hold off until our plans are finished. We want to see the business grow, the house paid off, and the grandkids graduate. There's nothing wrong with any of those things. But if our hearts are tied down here, the promise of His coming starts to feel more like an interruption than a hope.
I told our congregation that I would love for Jesus to interrupt my sermon and come right then. I meant it. Nobody would be upset about the sermon being cut short, I promise you.
The very last prayer in the Bible is three words long: "Come, Lord Jesus." It's the prayer of people who know this world isn't their home. We sing a song here written by Stephen McWhorter that cries out those same three words, and every time we sing it, I feel my grip on this world loosen a little bit.
That's what Jesus wants to do in you. He doesn't want you to stop dreaming or planning. He wants you to hold those plans with an open hand, because the best thing on your calendar is His return.
Why don't you pray those words with me right now? Come, Lord Jesus. If saying them feels hard, ask Him to show you what you're holding onto. Then give it to Him and pray it again.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Are You Living Like He's Coming?Are You Worth Following?Are Your Sins Confessed Up to Date?God's PlanBut Wait, There's MoreLean on God in UncertaintyCaught Off GuardLearning to Be AloneDoes Your Ministry Stick?Worrying Won't Get You AnywhereDon't Waste Your PainJesus is Coming BackPraying According to God's WillWe are Different for a ReasonLearning to Say NoGod is Working In UsDon't Watch. Pray.It Will Cost YouJoy in the Middle of HellMinistry Happens in the Mess of Real LifeFaith That Doesn't Need AnswersThe Gospel Changes EverythingThe Question That Changes EverythingWhat are You Still Holding?When God Calls You to Small ThingsWhen Light and Darkness CollideWhen Love Changes EverythingWhen Your Faith Has a ReputationWorth the SacrificeYou Must Be Present to WinWhen God Nudges Your Heart
February
Jesus is Coming BackPraying According to God's WillWe Are Different For A ReasonLearning To Say NoGod Is Working In UsGod’s Plan Needs YouMinistry Happens Heart to HeartDon’t Abuse Your Free WillDo Your Words And Your Actions Matchup?Seek God FirstA Safe PersonTrust over WorryTruth Over ApplauseForgetting Your First LoveNever Stop WorshipingWalking Humbly with GodIt’s All About JesusPraise the LordPraying To Remind YourselfYou Made the TeamYour Pain Has a PurposeReal FriendsReplacing GodSpecific ConfessionSpiritual AlignmentThis World Is Not Our HomeOpen the GatesOne Life Is Worth It All
March
Crooked Lines to Straight DestinationsDead Men Feel NothingDon't Twist the TranslationWhen Tradition Becomes a TrapRooted TogetherLeave Room for God's JusticeYour Relationship, Your ResponsibilityGod Loves Big Churches TooNot What You ExpectedTwelve Inches from HellYou Don't Need a BuildingHow Truth Gets TwistedThe Danger of "Plus"Equipped for EverythingThe Pull You Can't IgnoreHungry for MoreReset Your SystemThe Word Does the WorkYou're Already a SaintYou Need a CoachOpposition Fuels GrowthTake the Weight OffGod Doesn't Change His MindWho's Really in Charge?When God Get's Your AttentionActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouAre You Ready For Jesus To Come Back?

No Comments