Peter, A Breath of Fresh Air

I have been working with group of middle school students in a science camp this week. We are learning many things about science, technology, engineering and math as we get ready to launch a weather balloon into the atmosphere to collect data. However, if you teach you will get this, it is summer. With summer comes students who are eager to learn, but easily distracted by all the equipment we have. We want them to focus on the main goal of the project which is building their experiments and secure them to the payload for flight today. It took all that was in us to keep them focused!

So, when Peter talks about stay alert, focused and ready for the return of Jesus with “undistracted attention”…I get it. Why? Because, I, too, am easily distracted. I throw myself into whatever I am passionate about, sometimes missing the big picture. We must stay focused, undistracted by worldview, uncompromising and listen to the voice of God speak to our hearts, getting us ready for His return. THAT is the big picture. Everything else comes second. When we think in those terms there is peace in our hearts as we go about our work in this world. Our lives reflect more of His Light in our eyes. For our gaze is eternally on Jesus Christ who saves us.

2 Peter 3, The Message
1-2 My dear friends, this is now the second time I’ve written to you, both letters reminders to hold your minds in a state of undistracted attention. Keep in mind what the holy prophets said, and the command of our Master and Savior that was passed on by your apostles.

3-4 First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings, they’ll mock, “So what’s happened to the promise of his Coming? Our ancestors are dead and buried, and everything’s going on just as it has from the first day of creation. Nothing’s changed.”

5-7 They conveniently forget that long ago all the galaxies and this very planet were brought into existence out of watery chaos by God’s word. Then God’s word brought the chaos back in a flood that destroyed the world. The current galaxies and earth are fuel for the final fire. God is poised, ready to speak his word again, ready to give the signal for the judgment and destruction of the desecrating skeptics.

The Day the Sky Will Collapse
8-9 Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.

10 But when the Day of God’s Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.

11-13 Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we’ll hardly notice. We’ll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.

14-16 So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace. Interpret our Master’s patient restraint for what it is: salvation. Our good brother Paul, who was given much wisdom in these matters, refers to this in all his letters, and has written you essentially the same thing. Some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. Irresponsible people who don’t know what they are talking about twist them every which way. They do it to the rest of the Scriptures, too, destroying themselves as they do it.

17-18 But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers. Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for salvation. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit that consistently brings our focus back to You. Thank you for Your Presence in our lives, even we don’t notice because we are distracted for a few moments. Continue to teach us. We look forward to Your coming!
In Jesus Name, Amen

And I’m singing…

The sky shall unfold
Preparing His entrance
The stars shall applaud Him
With thunders of praise

The sweet light in His eyes
Shall enhance those awaiting
And we shall behold Him
Then face to face

O, we shall behold Him
We shall behold Him
Face to face in all of His glory

O, we shall behold Him
Yes, we shall behold Him
Face to face, our Savior and Lord

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