And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. (Luke 17:23-24, ESV)
Perhaps you have seen a quick-change artist and been amazed. You might think that the boxer Ali had a quick jab, or that the blink of an eye happens instantly. Perhaps when you think of “quick,” you think of a lightning flash. Pooh.
Compared to the quickest thing I know, all of those seem like a tired snail trying to make its way home from a hard day in the garden.
And what is that quickest thing? My head lifting up just before I hit a short chip shot. The speed at which I can accomplish that feat is almost immeasurable. Sometimes I can replicate it in a bunker. I am told it is a wonder to behold.
Sadly, no matter how quickly I lift my head, I rarely see a good shot.
My father had the best line ever for my tendency to peek. “Lewis,” he said, “It isn’t that your concentration is poor. It’s that your curiosity is great.”
To not look up, I don’t need to think about keeping my head down. I simply need to keep my curiosity in check.
When Jesus comes back (and I hope you are ready), no heads will stay down. As a young boy, I read “As the lightning flashes in the East and shines even to the West, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.” And I only thought that meant it would be quick.
I still think it does, but I was missing the meaning in context: No one will miss it.
The context says that some people will be anxious for Jesus to return. Taking advantage of that, others will try to mislead them by saying Jesus has returned and can be found here or there. Jesus himself says that will not be how it happens.
When Jesus returns, it will be quick, like lightning. But also like lightning, it will light up the whole sky. Even if you keep your head down, you will see the light.
Of course, if Jesus happens to return while I’m hitting a short chip shot, it is fairly well guaranteed that my head will already be up.
Prayer: Father, we anxiously await and desire Jesus’ return. As we wait, may we share the good news of Jesus with everyone we can. In his name, Amen.