“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”  —Mark 13: 32-37

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How do we prepare our hearts for Christ’s final coming? In this Sunday’s message Pastor Josh Kelsey explains why we can’t just be waiting for Christmas Day to celebrate Christ; we must have an urgent anticipation for the fulfillment of what’s been promised to us. This anticipation exists because we know what Christ has already done for us! The second coming is a reality that can inform what we’re facing now. To keep that now but not yet mentality:

Think about it often

• In reading Mark 13, it can seem like the gospel writer is speaking in opposites. On the one hand, he encourages us to be ready as if Christ will return today, but on the other, he urges believers to remain faithful for we do not know the day. 
• We should live in the tension of both mentalities. We stay alert, but we’re faithful for the long haul.
• If we truly have experienced the death and resurrection of Christ, let that reality and truth, the fact He’s coming back, encourage you.
• When you face bad news or a bad day, let Christ returning shape your perspective of the world.
• The Gospel of Mark challenges us to think of Christ’s return morning, noon and night.
• What does this Advent season mean to us? Let’s not forget the advent, the second coming, that we are still waiting for.

Think about it deeply

• Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on the things above.”
• You can think often about someone, but frequency doesn’t always take you deeper.
• We need to allow the revelation of the second advent to have deep roots in us.
• Take time to think about how God’s promises can empower and encourage you to be more like Christ in your character and relationships.
• There’s no birth without labor, so we shouldn’t be surprised when we face adversity. But God is bringing new life through the pain if we meditate deeply on his promises.

Live it out daily

• Such drastic and exciting news should affect the way we live our lives daily.
• We tend to be more self-focused. Instead consider, “I’m going to live my life today as if Christ is returning today.”
• Strive to pursue Christlikeness in this moment, not putting it off tomorrow or for a future date.
• Ready yourself for suffering. What do you want to use it for? To produce Christ likeness or to avoid it?