Lately, we’ve been talking about eternity—the things that last forever. Our spirits last forever. Whether we chose Christ or not, we’re all in this for the long haul. God lasts forever. He’s been around forever, too. Jesus’ words last forever.
Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.
Luke 21:33 (NLT)
There aren’t many things that last forever, but how much of our focus is set on those things rather than the things that will disappear? Have you set your priorities as such that your focus is on the things that you can take with you when you pass from this world, or are you hoarding all you can here, only to have to leave it behind when Jesus comes again?
Watch out! Don’t let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, as in a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth.
Luke 21:34-35 (NLT)
When I was a kid, my parents were involved in serving at church every Sunday. That meant we had to leave earlier than most. We took one car. When it was time to leave, we all had to be in that car. There were no exceptions. None. Zip. Zilch. Nada. We didn’t have the option of taking another vehicle (none of us kids were old enough to drive). Mom and Dad both had to be at church early, so it wasn’t as though one of them could come later with another vehicle. House rules stated that we go to church on Sunday. Again, no exceptions. Ready or not, we all leave at the same time.
Jesus drives the car (this is not a Jesus take the wheel kind of story). When Jesus pulls up to get us all, He’s only coming once. We can be sitting on the front step all dressed up and waiting for him or we can be rushing through our routine trying to make it out the door, toothbrush in hand. There is no second ride.
We can spend our lives dawdling around thinking we can rush through our preparations when the time comes or we can get ready now.
Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2b (NLT)
We can make the temporary things of this world our priority, or we can turn our eyes toward the eternal and make the decision to say:
Restore to me again the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.Psalm 51:12 (NLT)
Daily Bible reading: 2 Samuel 19-20, Luke 21:20-38
Verse-by-Verse 