v 52. It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.
Imagination is hard-pressed here! The sheer mechanics of what happens when Jesus returns are absolutely baffling. There will be this sudden transformation from one level of existence into another. But get beyond this idea of future transformation – what does it mean for me in the here and now? You may have this wonderful confidence that God will be changing your temporary, weak and failing body into something glorious and eternal at some unknown time in the future, but what about NOW. How does all this forward thinking, marvellous that it is, impact my painful and hard-pressed life today?
Well, here is Paul’s conclusion, ‘So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. ‘ (v 58) Hang in there, he says, whether you are able to do much or little for God, it will not be useless. You have right now a useful role in God’s great master plan for life. Whatever you might feel, you are not an insignificant cog in a vast cosmos. You are both secure and significant in God’s purposes.