Emmanuel ... Again
And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectations of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near. Luke 21:25-28.
Looking at all of the chaos and destruction occurring in the world today, my mind turned to the second coming of the Lord. I began to wonder if we are at that point of the Lord’s return. The subtleness of the enemy’s hand is becoming more profound. I see the enemy’s influence throughout the world and even in my community more than ever before. I see people getting shot and killed in a drive-by shooting after a basketball game at our neighborhood Boys and Girls Club. I see youth in our schools being lost to the streets with seemingly no hope left because of frustrations with their broken family life and school system. I see people down the block from where I live walking the streets like zombies as a result of being addicted to heroin and other laced drugs, policemen fearing reprimand for doing their job, youth behaviors impacting teachers’ jobs as opposed to teachers’ influences affecting students’ futures. I see right being wrong and wrong being right. I began to wonder, have I done all that I could do to bring light to the things going on in my community? What can I do? How can I impact my community in preparation for the Lord’s coming? During this season leading up to Christmas I am wondering when that glorious day will come; when will the Lord finally come? I find myself pondering, if we, his people, are living as though now is the time. Are we really ready?
Vandell Boykin (M.Div. ‘12) serves in many ministries in Rochester, N.Y. and currently attends New Life Fellowship pastored by Northeastern alum Reginald McGill.