The Two Minute Drill

Greetings in His Name,
 
"Let all things be done by you in love."

As long as I can remember, there have been periods of time when the church's expectations' for the Lord's return were elevated to near a fever pitch, and times when very few seemed to be looking for Him.  Doesn't it seem there are more signs on every hand that the end is near, but we sense less expectation in the church?  Why? Jesus said when you least expect Him, He will return!  
 
In the NFL, every team has what is called a two minute offense.  With two minutes left to play, the refs stop the clock and warn each team of that fact.  From that moment on the strategy of the game changes.  Certain plays have been prearranged so that no time is wasted in the huddle.  Each team member knows exactly what is expected of him. 
 
Some have called this the "hurry-up offense."  But a well-coached and carefully prepared team doesn't seem to be hurrying.  They are simply making every movement count, doing only those things that are absolutely essential to the success of their team.
 
It occurs to us, that with time running out for our world, we as Christians need to have a two-minute drill, hurry-up offense.  The church should never be on defense, especially now.  We ought to have a strategy for the most efficient use of whatever time we have left.  The Apostle Paul called it "redeeming the time" (Col. 4:5) Phillips translates it, "Make the best possible use of your time."
 
If this is to happen, "Let all things be done by you in love."  If we are to be ready for His return, and help others be ready for His return, we must be in love with Him, and we must love each other.  Don't waste time with other motives.  The whistle has blown, we are in the huddle, the coach is giving us some final advice. 
 
"If we love one another, God dwelleth in us."  1 John 4:12    
"God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."  1 John 4:7
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God."  1 John 4:7
 
If this describes us, we will be ready for His return and this love will motivate us to do what we can to help others by ready!
 
Henry