So, I've been thinking... oh yes, I can hear some of you beginning your jokes, "well, this could be dangerous..". Ha, I assure you it's not...or at least I hope. ;)
With all of this talk about "The End of the World", I just couldn't help but go off on one of my many analytical outings... it is such an interesting topic so it allowed me quite the field day! I've heard joking remarks about no need to study for finals, pay the bills or go Christmas shopping because "the world is about to end and, really...what's the point?" I observed many comical statements using the whole end of the world theory as an easy way out, a way to slack and lessen our responsibility and load. I'm not sure about you, but if I really did know when the world was going to end, I wouldn't want to waste my time pursuing superficial, selfish things but instead I'd rather work tirelessly on bettering myself for Christ!
IF tomorrow were really the end of the world, would I be ready to face the judgement room? IF tomorrow were really the end of the world, would I be prepared to stand before my creator...would I be the pure vessel He created me to be or instead would I stand before Him blemished and ashamed of the selfish state I willingly succumbed to? These are the questions we need to be asking and seeking the answers to.
Matthew 24:36 states, "but concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of Heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only."
We don't know when the Lord is coming...Could He come tomorrow? Yes. Could He come at this very moment? Yes. Could He come a year from now?Yes. You get the picture, I'm sure. Bottom line, we don't know! Matthew 24:42 goes on to say, "Therefore, stay awake for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." When I read this scripture I was overwhelmed by the call to ACTIVELY remain on guard and awake, always remaining alert. What exactly are we called to do? To keep our spiritual selves "up to par" and ready for His coming!! I don't want to be one of the women left grinding at the mill like verse 41 talks about. "..two women were grinding at the mill, one will be taken and the one left.".
I'm sure many of you have heard the saying " live everyday as if it's your last"...This should not be selfishly applied to pursue our own wants and desires, but instead be applied to force our flesh aside and pursue righteousness!
IF today were your last day, would YOU be ready to stand before the throne? IF today were your last day, would YOU be satisfied with what you had to offer the Lord? Would you hear the words, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant..."? That statement alone is the one my heart longs to hear, it is the finish line I long to reach and the reward wrapped up all in one. My life will have been lived to it's fullest if those words escape the lips of my beloved savior on the day I stand before Him. I fall so short on a daily basis that I end up doing the opposite of what James 1:19 says, "...Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.".
Today, I urge you to examine your heart and see if there is any room for improvement... to do as John 3:30 says "He must INCREASE, I must DECREASE"
Live every day as if it were your last and the world were to end tomorrow, putting as much passion and zeal into the things of the Lord as possible and loving to your maximum capacity. Strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus, a pure vessel He can use to accomplish His will! When you allow John 3:30 to become your resounding steps and Matthew 25:21 the track on which you run, you will be amazed when you reach the end and find yourself standing before your Heavenly Father having lived a life that's been pleasing unto Him.
So, let's wake up, prepare our hearts for His coming and live up to our created purpose! Who knows... it just might come in handy tomorrow. ;)
Taylor
