Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. (v. 17)
After over two decades of exchanging letters, emails, devotionals, and drafts of my autobiography, I felt like I knew the Words of Hope staff, even though we had never met face-to-face. Then a few years ago, while in Michigan, I had the opportunity to meet the people who edit and publish my writings.
The apostle Paul described the time when everyone will instantly meet Jesus. When the Lord returns, we will be united with those who have gone home already. Then everyone still living will be caught up to meet the Savior in the air, and we will have the amazing privilege of also meeting Christians who have died before we ever lived. On that day, we will all meet the Lord face-to-face.
When the day finally arrived to meet the Words of Hope staff, I felt at ease because it seemed like I already knew them given the relationship we had cultivated throughout the years. Are you anticipating seeing your Savior face-to-face? Or does the inevitable meeting scare you to death? If we stay in touch with the Lord daily, then when it comes to meeting him in person, there will be no need to fear because it will feel like we are seeing a good friend. When that long-awaited reunion happens, we can be overjoyed to be finally face-to-face with Jesus. —Steven Laman
As you pray, ask Jesus to give you the desire to strengthen your relationship with him.
About the Author
Steven Laman is a writer and public speaker who has lived with cerebral palsy since his birth in 1970. Steven is a prolific devotional writer for Words of Hope, and the author of three books: My Journey God’s Grace, Strength in Weakness and My Grace Is Sufficient. He also volunteers as a teacher’s aide. He lives with his parents in Iowa.
