Living with Hope and Purpose

Let’s face it, life is unpredictable. Just when you think you’ve got things figured out, a curveball comes out of nowhere. But in a world full of uncertainty, one thing remains rock solid: Jesus is coming again.

Now, before you start picturing the end times with trumpets, fire, and horses (or Nicolas Cage in a Left Behind movie) - take a breath. The return of Jesus isn’t supposed to make us feel anxious, it’s meant to fill us with hope, give our lives purpose, and keep us ready for what really matters.

Waiting on the When
If you're anything like me, you’ve probably wondered: When’s He coming back? What’s it going to look like? Will it be obvious or quiet? Loud or subtle?

The truth is, the Bible doesn’t give us a calendar date. And that’s on purpose. And I get it, if we knew Jesus was coming back on, say, April 4, 2026, what would we do? Probably wait until March 20th to get our spiritual lives together. (Like how we always think we’ll eat healthy after the holidays…)

God knows us better than we know ourselves. So instead of giving us a countdown clock, He invites us into a lifestyle of readiness; not a panicked, fear-driven kind of readiness, but a steady, joy-filled one.

Three Wake-Up Calls from Paul
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul gives three vivid metaphors to describe how Jesus’ return will come unexpectedly:

1. Like a thief in the night – No warning, no heads-up. Just shows up.
2. Like labor pains – Sudden and intense. I’ve had two babies; one was an emergency induction, and the other a planned C-section. And let me tell you, even when you think you know the plan, labor still has a way of surprising you. The timing, the emotion, the intensity, it comes on fast.
3. Like the surprise of the drunk – Caught off guard because you’re not thinking clearly.

Each of these paints the same picture: stay alert. This isn’t about panic or fear, it’s about living wide awake, fully present, and grounded in hope.

What Does Readiness Look Like?
So, how do we live with this “constant readiness”? Paul lays out three simple but powerful attitudes:

• Be awake – Spiritually alert. Pay attention to what God’s doing in and around you. It’s easy to get lulled into spiritual sleepwalking—just drifting through life, hitting snooze on what really matters.
• Be sober – Clear-minded. Keep your heart steady and your judgment grounded. Not swayed by fear, chaos, or temptation.
• Be aware – Know what’s coming. Not in a doom-and-gloom way, but in a hope-filled, “I know how the story ends” kind of way.

Getting Dressed for the Day
Paul also gives us a wardrobe for this kind of life; and thankfully, it’s more practical than dressing up for show. "Let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

That’s spiritual armor that fits just right, like your favorite pair of boots and worn-in jeans. The kind of gear you wear when you’re ready to work, walk through the storm, or show up for someone in need.

• Cover your heart with faith and love- trusting God deeply and loving people well.
• Guard your mind with hope- not the flimsy, wishful kind, but the solid assurance that salvation is already yours.

That’s the kind of outfit that helps you face whatever the day throws at you: with purpose, peace, and confidence in the One who holds your future.

You’re Not Appointed for Wrath
Let’s pause and let this sink in: “God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” That means if you’re in Christ, you’re not bracing for judgment, you’re looking forward to joy. You may not know the timing, but you can be absolutely certain about the outcome. Your future isn’t hanging in the balance, it’s anchored in God’s promise.

Even on hard days. Even when you don’t feel strong. Even when life throws you a gut punch. We may have good days and bad days, but in Christ, we are guaranteed a good forever.

Be a Builder, Not a Critic
Paul’s call is simple: “Encourage one another and build each other up.”

Criticism is easy. But building people up? That takes intention.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post that felt especially honest and meaningful, Pastor Isaac sent a group text to our staff. He didn’t just say, “Hey, nice job.” He took the time to point it out, encouraged me specifically, and told the rest of the team to go read it. I replied, half-joking, “Look at you, practicing your own sermon. What gets rewarded gets repeated, right?” We laughed, but his words stuck with me. I work hard to write with both excellence and relatability, and that moment reminded me that encouragement really does fuel effort.

It doesn’t take much, a text, a word, a comment in passing. But when we call out what’s good, it makes people want to keep going. So let’s be the kind of people who leave others feeling stronger, not smaller.

Living with Eternity in View
This kind of hope doesn’t make us floaty or disconnected. It roots us. It gives us resilience when life gets hard. It gives our relationships deeper meaning. And it fuels a hunger for holiness, not because we’re scared of being left behind, but because we’re preparing for a forever with Jesus.

So what does this look like in everyday life?

5 Ways to Live Ready

1. Suit up daily. Start your morning in faith, love, and hope.
2. Speak life. Encourage someone every day, even if it’s just a text or kind word.
3. Remember your appointment. When life gets hard, remind yourself you’re headed for salvation.
4. Do a spiritual check-in. Are you awake? Are there areas you’re snoozing through?
5. Share the good news. People are starving for hope- don’t keep it to yourself.

Until That Day Comes
We don’t know when Jesus will return, but we do know He will. And that’s not scary, it’s glorious.

So let’s live like people who are ready to meet Him, not out of fear, but out of joy. Let’s live with purpose, love deeply, forgive freely, and anchor ourselves in the kind of hope that can’t be shaken.

Because whether He comes back tomorrow or we go to Him first, our future is secure in His hands. And when that day comes, may we be found awake, ready, and excited, not surprised, but smiling.