It's easy to let a whole day slip by without recognizing the imminent return of Jesus.

And yet Scripture repeatedly advises us to live as though that day is coming soon.

Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck's Wendall continues his series called Hope Again.

In this portion of our study, we're looking at a section of Peter's first letter, chapter

4, where we receive what Chuck calls marching orders for soldiers of the cross.

Peter said, the end of all things is at hand, therefore be of sound judgment and sober spirit

for the purpose of prayer.

When the time is short, things get urgent, and I've also noticed that they get simplified.

There's something about the brevity of time that adds urgency and simplicity.

I think, for example, of time in your life when a loved one you know has discovered that

he or she hasn't long to live.

Your visits are often much more urgent, and your discussions are simple to the point,

basic.

When you are only minutes from a hurricane or the arrival of a tornado that you can see

in the immediate distance, you usually don't pull out a monopoly game and sit down to play

for a while.

You don't set up plans for an exotic meal or some lengthy opportunity to serve your guests.

You boil things down to survival because the hour is short, and there's urgency.

There's the need for survival and simplicity.

If you're driving home from church and you discover the moment it happens, an accident occurring in the other lane,

and you are the only one there to assist, you don't worry about your clothing getting dirty or bloody.

You're there to help.

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