The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Monday
December 1, 2008
"Be dressed for service and well prepared, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. There will be special favor for those who are ready and waiting for his return. I tell you, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, there will be special favor for his servants who are ready!"
Whenever I think of someone being "dressed for service," I automatically think of people in the military. December 7, 1941, our military was dressed, but they weren't ready for the service that was necessary that day. Yes, I am talking about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Although dressed, they weren't ready for the attack.
God wants us "dressed and well prepared." One of these days Jesus will come back. What does it take to be ready for the return of Jesus? I honestly believe with all my heart that it is trust. I believe that when we trust Him we are dressed and well prepared, just like a bride is reading for her wedding.
In order for there to be a wedding we need both a Bride and a Groom. If we "trust" that the wedding has taken place, we will "trust" that the Bride and Groom will return from the wedding ready to begin their life together. Therefore, we have everything ready for them in anticipation for their life ahead.
It's the same with the return of Jesus. If we believe everything He told us about the Kingdom to come, we will "trust" that everything is being done to make our life together in that Kingdom ready. Our only chore is to take care of the responsibilities He has given us. We can't get things ready if we are just sitting at the door waiting for His return. No, we have to be alert and tuned in to the call, but in the meantime there are things that need to be done.
Unlike the analogy of this world and a Bride and Groom, our Lord will seat us and serve us. I just can't imagine that! Yet, He said in His Word that it will happen so I trust Him to handle all the details on His side of eternity. I guess He trusts me to handle mine.
So being dressed isn't everything, we must be well prepared. In order to be well prepared we would do well to love in the meantime.
Oh, Lord, I just can't imagine how it will be when You return for us. I just can't imagine what it will be like to be at dinner with You. Although I anticipate that day, help me not get so focused on that day that I forget the people You place in my life today. I truly want to know You more!
