would enjoy my day with an eye on the clock so I’d finish up just before she got home. The
dishes left in the sink all day would still be
dripping on the counter when she arrived, and I’d be slightly out of breath
from the last minute rush. And yes, I knew well the old proverb of the grasshopper and the ant.
This reluctance to do my best became so ingrained that
seldom did I feel a twinge of conscience. I knew there were things I should do,
but grew to expect there would always be plenty of time – in the meantime, there were things
I’d rather do. Sound familiar? I suspect most of us prefer to procrastinate,
but hopefully we outgrow or overcome this habit, which in the long run is
really more damaging than we knew.
You see, I knew my Mother would come home every day. I knew
when she would arrive, so I felt safe in putting my fun before my chores. I hadn’t allowed any time to recover from any unscheduled
accidents or delays; if the hot water heater had stopped working before I’d
done the dishes, or if she had called just before getting off work and added
some urgent little thing I must do, I’d have caused her disappointment and displeasure.
Continuing this habit into adulthood could risk job
advancement or at least cause embarrassment. Much more serious is putting off
things the Bible says we should be doing to prepare for Jesus’s arrival. You see, Jesus said He surely will come, but didn't tell us when! The
Lord has been very generous with the amount of time he has allowed me to grow
into His likeness, yet because I knew I was safe, my past record will show I
have failed to diligently pursue spiritual growth over much of my eight decades.
Dear Ones, you have no guarantee you will have the time and
be able and willing to get ready to greet Him upon His return. My mother died
at 62. My oldest daughter died at 38. An
uncle died at 20. His twin brothers died before 10. The risk in putting self first in my life is (1) an early
call homeward or (2) my lack of interest could grow instead of my spirit and
lead me further into separation from our Father in Heaven. Either option will
leave me stricken with remorse, kneeling at the throne, regretting my pitiful excuses instead of arriving with a clean spirit and clear conscience, with crowns
of obedient service to our Redeemer who gave all for us.
About 1/3 of the Bible talks about Heaven and in many scripture also warns us to be ready.
And if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take
you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
John 14:2
He's working NOW for our arrival; shouldn't we be preparing for that day?
No comments:
Post a Comment