Present Time

Rom 13:11-14
11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
NIV
Surely a hand full of sins is listed here for me to run a good check list. But I am reminded here from that phrase, “the present time” of the ever present possibility of Christ returning to call me as well as the rest of the church home right now. This makes me contemplate whether I am actually living as if that were the case. Do I make plans for my future thinking I actually have one? Sure, I suppose I have to live for the next day or so, just in case He does not come right now. But, am I living so concerned about the next day, the next week, the next month, the next year, what I will be doing, what I want to get done, that I forget about that possibility of His coming now? I ask myself, what is wrong with that? He doesn’t expect me to just sit and wait for Him does He? He wants me to occupy. But I must not slumber; I should be awake and alert, watchful for His return. If I am then my actions should reflect that. I should be doing things for Him, for His kingdom. My plans should be His plans for me. He orders my steps, He directs me in the way I should go. True, I am working toward that goal. I believe I am trying to share His Word with others. I believe I am trying to influence others to walk closer to the Lord. But I still struggle with my own walk, how can that be? My faith is strong, but my flesh is weak. How can I do His will and mine at the same time? A mystery I may never understand, but what I do know is I must live as if He could return today. I must wear the armor of light.