There is a distinct mystery to God's character. No matter how much we grow in the knowledge of our Savior, there are still many things we'll never understand -- His return being one of them, I believe. Will it be tomorrow? What about today? A month from now? Ten years? What He promises is this: no one will expect Him at that time. Keep watch.
Last night, as I was pondering these things, I came across these verses from Matthew 24:
"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
...Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when He returns. I tell you the truth, He will put him in charge of all His possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of."
While we might not expect Him to return tomorrow or the next day, we shouldn't relax and live our lives the way we always have. Instead, shouldn't we always be thinking of what we can do to glorify Him, and further His Kingdom? We should give what we have to the "least of these".
Does this mean we should all become street evangelists? For some, absolutely. But God has helped me to realize that our "ministry" on earth can be as subtle as being kind to a store clerk, keeping an even temper with a child, or showing generosity to someone who's treated you badly. Listening to Him every moment should be our mission. We are used by Him even when we aren't aware!
And lastly, let's not be afraid. Fear is a deadly weapon used to make us act in a way counterproductive to our purpose. How beautiful are the feet of those that bring the good news!--the feet of you and I.
