Overdue!?

"Overdue?  Again?  Aw, come on?  How could this be overdue?  I just _____ it not too long ago.  How could it possibly be overdue?"  You can fill in that blank yourself.  Sometimes that blank is referring to a library book, as in, "I just checked that book out not too long ago."  It could also refer to a bill.  You know, like, "I just paid that bill just yesterday.  Wait, was it yesterday or was it last week.  Hmmm, anyway, I KNOW it can't be due today."

That context is the first, and probably the readiest, definition for the word "overdue".  However, take a look at the next two definitions.  Wow!  Read on.

2.  too long awaited; needed or expected for some time: Improvements in our highway system are long overdue.

"Too long awaited; needed or expected for some time."  I'm sure dictionary.com did not intend this the way I'm going to spin it, but think about this.  You may have been praying for something for quite some time.  It seems like you have invested a lot of energy into that thing and still you've no answer.  It feels like the answer is "overdue".  We've waited too long.  Paul told the Thessalonians, "Don't be weary in doing good." (2 Thes 3:13)  But, the context is equally as important as those words.  See, the Thessalonians had some folks in their church that were causing an uproar, doing things they should not have been doing.  So, Paul tells the church to "keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life." (6)  A few verses later, Paul says, "We hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies." (11)  Then, he says, "But you, don't be weary in doing good.  Don't worry about the trouble they are causing.  You just keep doing good.  Punishment may be around the corner; the longed-for revival is coming.  You just keep doing what you should be."  Here's an interesting conclusion to this thought.  Paul told the Galatians, "Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." (Ga 3:9-10)  See, not only does it fit but it makes sense!  Just keep doing the good thing.  Eventually, you will reap the benefit of the planted crop.

3.  more than sufficiently advanced, mature, or ready: That country is overdue for industrial development.

 I think John the Revelator would probably have agreed most readily with this definition.  In fact, I think he could have used "overdue" at the end of the Book of Revelations.  John tells us, "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming quickly.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."  He might just as well have concluded with , "Amen.  You're overdue!"  I don't know what you think about eschatology, whether you are pre-, mid-, or post-tribulation, pre- or amillenial. At this point, I'm not particular.  Being a child of God, you know that in the end, we will be in Heaven, with the One who died for our sins.  The Church has been saying for years, "Ah, come!  Evil is rampant, and except for our Lord's return, we will all be lost.  There has been "more than sufficient time passed.  We are advanced in years and we are ready.  Even so, come!  You're overdue!  Come, Lord Jesus."  Perhaps, that prayer is something so personal that it doesn't deal with the end time.  Perhaps you've been praying for relief from a burden and all that you can say is, "Come, Lord Jesus."  Don't lose hope, friend.  Keep hoping. Keep praying.  Our God hears and is on His way.  Yes, the answer may take years to unfold, but I can assure you, the full fulfillment of that response will be completed on His time table.

So, until He comes in whatever way is needed, you "be not weary in doing good" because in His good timing, the answer will come.  "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"