IS "WHAT, ME WORRY?" YOUR STYLE OR, ARE YOU "ON ALERT"?

Today’s thoughts come from Mark, chapter 13, starting with verse 33 through the end of the chapter, where Jesus is not only teaching, but also warning, that we stay alert, since we do not know when “the Master will return.” He has left each one of us in care of the most precious thing(s) ever created, our souls, and what is the attitude with which we have accepted that trust? Are we alert, ever-watchful, eager for “THAT DAY”, or have we become like those who waited for the Messiah, tired of waiting to the point we are “Ho-Hum, it’s not likely to be today anyway, so I have plenty of time to say, “I’m sorry,” or “I can wait a little while longer to say, ‘Yes,’ to God.” 

We have been told He will return as “you have seen Him go”,(Acts 1:11) that the timing will be as “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”(I Corinthians 15:51ff)  So how we are living our lives? Packed and ready to go? Oh, right! No need to pack! We’ll meet Him in the air if we are still earthlings, BUT are we ready for that, or are we like those who were waiting, waiting, waiting for the Messiah? It HAS been a LONG time since Jesus walked this earth and the promise was made that THE DAY would be coming. In the meantime, have we become complacent figuring, “but not likely in my lifetime”?  Jesus said even HE didn’t know when (Mark 13:32) so who do we think we are to make up our minds to such determinations? Oh, I know we don’t mean to do so, but even the scriptures point out if we knew when the thief were going to break in, we’d be prepared to keep him out, so if we KNEW exactly WHEN, how would we be preparing? Would there be a difference?

Have you observed a farmer? He plants seeds. He waits for what he knows will be the forthcoming crops, but he also knows the timing will be approximately, not exactly. That means he does not plan a vacation during the time the corn’s top ripe picking quality is expected. 

Pretty much likewise with the baker; into the same oven goes the same cake recipe in the same pans as previously used on myriad occasions, but today, for some reason, those cake layers take a little less or a little more time. And one can require still an additional few minutes compared to the other! What’s the difference and does it matter? It may be the room temperature of the eggs and milk used; it may be the humidity in the air; it may be a dozen things you and I don’t have the foggiest notion to explain, but God knows every answer, even about the timing of that cake baking! And, yes, it does matter. If the baker is not alert, all the work of putting the ingredients together can be for naught.

Oh, and what about flowers? Want to explain the timing of the bud opening to full flower? God knows, and it’s fun to try to figure out when the best time is going to be to get the most beautiful of all possible photos of that particular open flower.  In each of these scenarios, to get the best outcome, the person involved must choose to stay alert or live with the consequences.

    Just as God plans for the right time for the seeds the farmer plants, the cakes the baker prepares, and the opening of the flowers from the buds, He has formulated the right time for the coming of Christ. Because He is not willing for any to perish, (2 Peter 3:9), He has given us time to not only be alert ourselves, but also to be an encouragement to others.

Are we EAGER and READY to see Jesus in those clouds?

Do we WANT to be ready, or are we too attached and comfortable in this life?

Facing “The Unknown” is somewhat scary . . . all the more reason to spend more time studying about God and learning how much He loves us. The better acquainted we are with God, the more welcome and wanted is going to be the appearance of our Savior when we see Him coming in these clouds. . .  and He IS coming just as surely as He lived and died on this earth as The Promised One.

    Just look up.

    It is the SIMPLE TRUTH.

M Sue       8-23-2016