Father, I am grateful for opportunities to invest time and not just effort. Please bless that time, and may it result in eternal impact. Amen.
********
Unfortunately, on my morning route today, I encountered a squirrel in the middle of my side of the road. It is best not to swerve to avoid missing things like that, as you could jeopardize the safety of all on board. This squirrel had every opportunity to escape. It had plenty of time to run to the left or to the right, for that matter. But instead, it vacillated between them both. I don’t know why it couldn’t make up its mind. I’m not 100% sure I got him, but I’m pretty sure I heard the tell-tale “bump” of his demise.
We know not the day or the hour when our time will come. The thing is, we must be ready. Many people throughout the ages had no idea that their time was up…and then it was.
Many think there will be time to set their affairs in order…and I’m not talking about earthly accumulations. I am not here to point fingers. God is our judge. No human creation can take that spot. Our responsibility is to be ready.
Much like the squirrel on my route, we may think we will have time to decide before it is too late, but for many, there will be no time to hesitate, going back and forth between our options. We must have our decision made. Will we live our lives by our own set of rules, or will we submit to God’s will for our lives?
For many, it is a struggle; even faithful followers of Christ battle with some of those decisions daily. Personally, I think it is an overall frame of mind. Followers of Christ give themselves over to Him. He has our heart and understands that this life throws many a wrench into the works. Just because we strive to be faithful in following Him doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges along the way. We are going to have to fight along the way. Christ has won the war, but we still have battles to fight. The glorious thing is, we don’t have to fight them alone. He is with us all along the way…helping us, guiding us, strengthening us, fortifying us with His fathomless resources of love and grace and forgiveness…and the list goes on and on.
So today – right at this very moment, if you have not already done so – decide. Will it be your way, or will you submit to Christ and go at life His way? Do it now, for there’s no way to know if you will have another opportunity.
Joshua, son of Nun, the servant of Moses, declared this to the people of Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped…and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15 NIV
Mar 6th, 2024, Wed, 5:25 pm
