“But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” (Matthew 24:36 NASB)
Today’s opening verse is one of elation, evoking joyful vibes for those who can declare “I’m saved!” Because if you are saved, it will not matter when the Lord Jesus returns for His bride, the church, you are ready! Jesus words, spoken by the Savior Himself, should also equip you with a truth that can support your missionary, evangelizing, Great Commission-obeying, soul-winning work, especially when you tell someone in conversation or by song, “You better be ready when Jesus comes.” No one knows when the Son of Man will return. Nobody can pinpoint the day and hour that His second advent will take place. There is no one, other than the Father who knows when time will expire for men and women to reconcile with Him through repentance and real faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who died on Calvary for our sins. You are simply speculating if you think you can name precisely the time that God’s judgments that have been implemented throughout the ages, clear signs intended to give unbelievers a chance to repent and realize that Jesus is indeed the way, the truth, and the life. No person cannot plan for His return. You cannot put it on some schedule or note the date on your calendar. It is a plan that God will unfold, but it is unplanned from the perspective of you being able to be ready for that time. God will meet every expectation regarding Jesus’ return that He has revealed to us in His word, but when He comes back, it will be unexpected. The day of the Lord is unavoidable. All one can do to avoid an appointment in Hell is to confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in their heart that God has raised Him from the dead. Thank God that as believers, we don’t have to have anxiety about that which is unplanned on our exact schedule, or unexpected in terms of exactly when the Lord’s return will occur. Nor do we have to be anxious for the unavoidable. Why? Because we are on the right side of this reality: “The wages is sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Somebody you know needs to read this meditation, either to bolster their confidence or to bring them to a point of inner conflict with their procrastination to come to Jesus. The invitation is extended every day and not just toward the end of the service on Sunday mornings and not just by the preacher. You can do it too!
Now that we have addressed procrastination from a spiritual, theological perspective, let me meddle with you and get in your business. There will be unplanned, unexpected, and unavoidable things that will unveil themselves in your unique secular life. For instance, the car does not start and now you will be late for work. Your ride shows up on the early side of “between this hour and that hour” and you were leaning toward the latter. The bus comes 3 minutes early and you are 5 minutes away from your bus stop. The weatherman predicted a hot day, but it turns out to be a brisk, chilly day and you need time to change your attire; late again! Momma and Daddy expected your room to be clean by the time they got home, but for some reason they came home earlier than usual. You stall on going to the store, and when you get there everything, or at least all the paper goods you needed were gone and you were staring at empty shelves.
My meddling, visiting a practical side of life, I am intending to be helpful and not make irritate anyone. But do you want to know something? I thought you did! This “meddling” can be beneficial to you as you manage your time and plan to the best of your ability. And when the benefits come forth, know that it really does have something to do with your Christian witness. You will show that you have to do everything as if you are doing it for the Lord. I believe the word agrees with me. Enjoy this Tuesday, a new day that you have never seen before! Be blessed!
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23a KJV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King