“In a Little While…”
How many times when we were children did we ask our parents when something was going to happen or be over with? “How much longer until we get to grandma and papa’s house?” “How much longer until we eat?” “How much longer do we have to sit here?” “How much longer until we leave?” How much longer do we have to stay at this place?” And we can just hear our mother or father answer back, “Not too much longer. It will all be over in a little while.”
As human beings, we are constantly moving to and planning the next thing. We are impatient and we don’t like waiting. We anticipate events and opportunities and things on our schedule. Because of all of these things we are prone to wonder how long things are going to last, how long will be the in-between in the moments of our day, and how long until we will get to do the next thing on the list. I think we are probably going to continue to go through these types of experiences and feelings for the rest of our lives.
But one thing that does change over the years is what we anticipate. How long do we get to go to the pool turns in to how long is this doctor’s visit going to take?! How long do get to stay up becomes how long before I get to go to bed? How long is this preacher going to keep preaching turns into…well…ok, maybe some things stay the same. But the answer keeps coming back to us just as our parents once gave it. It will all be over “In a little while.”
Jesus spoke to the apostles about “a little while.” He said he would only be with them for a little while (John 7:33). He said that He–as the light–was only here to guide their steps a little while (John 12:35). He said in a little while they would not see him because he was going back to the Father (John 16:16-17). He said they would be sorrowful for a little while, but that their sorrow would be turned into joy (John 16:20).
When you think about it, we should be glad that things only happen and last on earth for a little while. What if disappointments never led to new opportunities? What if injuries never healed? What if grieving over loss never lessened or was never replaced by precious memories? What if even happy events never ended long enough for us to diversify our interests and get involved in some other form of joy?
Earthly life is only for a little while. It was not meant to be forever. The truth of this fact not only allows us to be thankful for the day, but it reminds us of eternity, where the perfect things last forever, and we will be in the presence of God and comforted and at peace in a place where we will never want anything that is going on to end.
We have great anticipation as children of God, that we can ask our Father in heaven how much longer until Jesus comes again to take us home, and hear him answer back to us with an ever gentle and loving smile….”My child, everything will be as it needs to be, in a little while.”
“For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.” – Hebrews 10:37
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
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AUTHOR: Jeremiah Tatum
