While I'm Passing Through . . .
I read an excellent post this morning written by a friend (http://brendaflemming.blogspot.com/2010/10/lord-you-are-my-home.html ). It was a reminder to me about how important perspective is in determining what our priorities in life need to be.
Added to Brenda's post was an interesting incident that I read about in my devotions this morning. Jesus was coming to end of his earthly ministry and in one of those last discourses he spoke to his disciples about what was to come in the future. Among the things he said was this: "No one knows about that day [the coming of the Lord] or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house in charge of his servants, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at down. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'" –Mark 13:32-37, NIV.
We get so caught up with the here-and-now that we often forget that God left us here to complete a task that doesn't center around US. We have been left to do kingdom business, put in charge of the task of being the hands and feet of Jesus and speaking the truth of God so that others are ready for that point of no return when Jesus comes again in all his glory. Unhappily we have become so immersed in US, that we often forget the task assigned or relegate it to somewhere down near the bottom of the list of the "things I have to do."
Jesus' warning is an apt one. We don't know when Christ will return, when it will be too late to speak to that neighbour, family member, or co-worker. That deed of love meant to build a bridge of relationship and pave the way for the Gospel, and then left undone, might not get done because Jesus could return before it moves up to the top of our busy agendas.
This world isn't home, as my friend, Brenda, so wisely shared on her blog. But oddly enough we spend the majority of our time improving a life that is only temporary to the neglect of the life, and its task and values, that is permanent. We often say that we'll get to Kingdom business tomorrow, or later, or . . . . But we have no more idea than the disciples if tomorrow is going to come Actually, that it WON'T come is closer for us than it was for them. And that should give us all the more reason to change our perspective about life and re-order or priorities.
Added to Brenda's post was an interesting incident that I read about in my devotions this morning. Jesus was coming to end of his earthly ministry and in one of those last discourses he spoke to his disciples about what was to come in the future. Among the things he said was this: "No one knows about that day [the coming of the Lord] or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house in charge of his servants, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back–whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at down. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'" –Mark 13:32-37, NIV.
We get so caught up with the here-and-now that we often forget that God left us here to complete a task that doesn't center around US. We have been left to do kingdom business, put in charge of the task of being the hands and feet of Jesus and speaking the truth of God so that others are ready for that point of no return when Jesus comes again in all his glory. Unhappily we have become so immersed in US, that we often forget the task assigned or relegate it to somewhere down near the bottom of the list of the "things I have to do."
Jesus' warning is an apt one. We don't know when Christ will return, when it will be too late to speak to that neighbour, family member, or co-worker. That deed of love meant to build a bridge of relationship and pave the way for the Gospel, and then left undone, might not get done because Jesus could return before it moves up to the top of our busy agendas.
This world isn't home, as my friend, Brenda, so wisely shared on her blog. But oddly enough we spend the majority of our time improving a life that is only temporary to the neglect of the life, and its task and values, that is permanent. We often say that we'll get to Kingdom business tomorrow, or later, or . . . . But we have no more idea than the disciples if tomorrow is going to come Actually, that it WON'T come is closer for us than it was for them. And that should give us all the more reason to change our perspective about life and re-order or priorities.
Such a powerful reminder. Now is the right time.
ReplyDeleteAmen! May we be ever watchful as we go about our Father's business, furthering His kingdom her on earth.
ReplyDelete