I made my share of jokes yesterday but in the back of my mind I wondered; What if it was truly the day Jesus came back? What would he say to me if I stood before him yesterday? Would I hear the famous words from the bible "Well done good and faithful servant."? There are times when I've been lazy or scared to share the gospel. Other times I just haven't been the best example of a Christ follower. Sometimes I'm quick to get frustrated, and I lack grace when in the same area I've received grace.
Personally I'm thankful that the world didn't end yesterday. I get another chance to serve the God who paid the ultimate price for my sin. I get another opportunity to live in community with other believers and talk about God and his grace and mercy. My prayer is that I would learn to live like every day is the "end of the world". Not in a panicked way but in a humble loving way. Remembering that we never know when today might be our last opportunity to speak into someones life and tell them about Jesus.
Over the last week we've seen a big example of how fragile life is. We saw 26 innocent lives lost. In the midst of tragedy my prayer is that I would begin to listen and watch for every opportunity to speak the gospel, be a good example of Jesus and love those that feel unloved. I personally need a new spark of passion for God and spending quality time with him.
"When the end comes, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids. They took their oil lamps and went to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The foolish bridesmaids took their lamps, but they didn't take any extra oil. The wise bridesmaids, however, took along extra oil for their lamps. Since the groom was late, all the bridesmaids became drowsy and fell asleep. "At midnight someone shouted, 'The groom is here! Come to meet him!' Then all the bridesmaids woke up and got their lamps ready. "The foolish ones said to the wise ones, 'Give us some of your oil. Our lamps are going out.' "But the wise bridesmaids replied, 'We can't do that. There won't be enough for both of us. Go! Find someone to sell you some oil.' "While they were buying oil, the groom arrived. The bridesmaids who were ready went with him into the wedding hall, and the door was shut. "Later the other bridesmaids arrived and said, 'Sir, sir, open the door for us!' "But he answered them, 'I don't even know who you are!' "So stay awake, because you don't know the day or the hour.
- Matthew 25:1-13 GW
It is interesting that we would face these questions just before Christmas. This is the season where people start to give more, help others more and either fight or love their family more. We start thinking about the upcoming year. We do our self assessments make resolutions for self improvement most of which we give up on by February. Most companies plan their budget and goals for the next year. Retail places do inventory and get ready to close out the books.
Now is the perfect time to think about how can we make eternal choices to serve the lord. What things should we be doing here on earth so that we can one day hear "Well done" from God and take others with us. Take some time over the next week to sit, pray and ask the lord what direction he wants you to go. Ask him what he wants to change and grow in you this year. Then make a commitment to him about those things. The last step is accountability make sure you tell someone about what God showed you so that you can be held accountable through out the year. I'm excited to see what God is going to do in 2013. The potential is endless God's plans are bigger than we can hope or dream.
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