“In just a little while,
he who is coming will come and not delay.”
Hebrews 10:37
Ready or not, here I
come.
–God
* * *
I
hate not being ready. Last minute
preparations and scrambling to get ends tied up send my nerves on edge, not to
mention plain old forgetting that one important thing. When that happens, I can’t seem to focus on
anything but that one thing I forgot.
Nothing makes me feel more incomplete than driving down the road or
arriving to my destination only to realize that I forgot earrings or my wedding
ring. A naked ring finger and unadorned
earlobes become center spotlight on my mind’s stage.
Like
a thief in the night, he comes. The
Bible is peppered with allusions to be ready for when God comes. Warnings to get right with God are common; so
is the more modern question Do you know where you’ll spend eternity? Christians everywhere are given the task of
spreading God’s word, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice, and sharing that there is a
place for each and everyone in heaven.
Quick – make your reservation, even though not one of us knows when we
are leaving.
I
remember as a new Christian I wondered if I was ready. Did I do enough in accepting that Jesus saved
me? Was there still a corner of my mind
that doubted what I said I believed? I
prayed the salvation prayer over and over, as if I forgot something the last
time: Dear God, I am a sinner, and I
believe that you sent Jesus to die for my sins.
Amen? Is that it? It seems so
inadequate. God, I really really believe that you sent Jesus to die for
me. Oh man, my sins. Please forgive me for when I did this, and
this, and this, and oh, I guess I am sinning now by not believing in the
simplicity of your plan, oh God, am I messing this up or what? I’m sorry. Forgive me.
Please have a room for me in your house.
I know you have one for me. Amen.
Even
in prayer I’m a neurotic mess.
The
truth is that God will not wait to come.
When his time is here to reveal himself to the world, even the most
powerful will be humbled, but we can be sure that this is also how he works in all
of our lives on a daily basis. God will
not wait to teach us something when he deems it’s time. I was not ready
to be called by God to believe; I didn’t make a plan, didn’t foresee the future
of life as a Christian. Nor do I have
fair warning to do many of the things I look back upon and say “God put me in
that situation.” If God wants to show us
something, he won’t hesitate to show us his hand, ready or not.
God
is always on the lookout for what we need, and his will supersedes any of our
plans (or lack of them). I believe God
gives us chances to do his will in our lives, and we don’t always notice
them. There is a time when he needs us
for something that can’t be ignored, and we make choices to do them or
not. Even the one who thinks he has
lived his life for God can do one more thing for the Kingdom. God never fails, and this includes never
failing to use us for this glory, no matter when or where we are in our
lives.
God
doesn’t wait for loose ends to be tied up; he doesn’t care if we forgot to wear
earrings that day. He will come when we
least expect it, without warning. Every
day we have the choice to do something with what God gives us, until that very
last day when he calls us home.
*******
This is a great reminder for our every day. We can't wait on our salvation; we must embrace it and then follow God's will for us every day!
ReplyDeleteVery well said. Simple. Thank you, Gina!
DeleteWow! This was my thought at noon too. We should always live our lives in the light of Jesus' coming. That can make us more cautious in how we toil in using our time, talents, treasures. :)
ReplyDeleteSomehow, it makes things easier when viewed through God's eyes, too. For me, anyway.
DeletePart of being ready is KNOWING we are ready. BELIEVING we are who he says we are. EMBRACING AND LIVING FROM that identity... in Him. We are made ready by Him in salvation and renewed daily... he prepares his bride... earrings and all. :). Great post.
ReplyDeletehttp://unveiledandrevealed.com
Thank you, Brianna! I have spent probably the largest amount of time doing what you say here - believing that I am who he says I am.
DeleteLove this Andrea. The waiting... the wondering... and I think so many people aren't feeling the urgency of this message. Since we have NO idea when God will come to reign this world and deliver us to His Kingdom in Heaven, we (I) become a bit apathetic really... like somewhere subconsciously we mutter, 'eh... I got time." I think the reality is so faded and jaded in the world of non-believers, that they too have no urgency to explore this Jesus, with whom many call their Savior.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder. God will show up every day, and work in our lives through our willingness to let him. And ultimately- God's coming. Let us never lose site of that urgency- for the sake of our own faith walk, and witnessing to others.
No earrings required for His work! :)
Thank you, Chrissy! I admit that even I don't feel the urgency all the time. It becomes such a familiar process, and I feel as if I know what's coming. But then something happens, and I realize that I don't.
DeleteThank goodness earrings aren't required. I forget them half the time anyway.
I haven't thought about that in years. Great points and may your confidence and faith continue to grow. You'll make it! God will make sure you will...
ReplyDeleteVery true, very kind words. Thank you. xo
Delete