23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” Colossians 3:23-24.
What if someone told you that this was going to be your last Christmas on this earth? What would you do differently than what you are doing now? Would you call up that friend you have wondered if they have ever heard the truth of God’s Word? Would you talk to one of your family members about the Good News of Jesus Christ? Would you make sure that so and so knew that you truly forgave them? Would you make sure that so and so would forgive you? These are all good things to do. Tim McGraw sings about a man who was told he didn’t have long to live in the song, “Live Like You Were Dying.” The words reveal the things he would attempt to do, “I went skydiving, I went Rocky Mountain climbing, I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu. And I loved deeper, and I spoke sweeter, and I gave forgiveness I’d been denying.” Not a bad list of things to start with but that list seems to lack the eternal impact Christ wants on our list. I can think of a few more things I would want to do. If there were impactful things you could do this then what are you waiting for? If you can come up with a list of things that you would do that would make an eternal significance, wouldn’t you want to do that now? None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. We should live life to its fullest today. The Lord may return or we may be scheduled to go home and join other Christ followers who have finished the race. I just don’t want to show up too early and have the Lord say to me, “Mike, I didn’t expect you this early.” I say that jokingly but seriously if you know what I mean. I don’t want to do anything to speed up the process. I want God’s timing. No matter the case, I don’t want to live with regret. I want to live life loud. I want to love as Jesus loved, serve as He served, and point people to Jesus, the only way to eternal life in heaven. I want the zeal of the Lord Almighty to accomplish this through me. In light of this wonderful season and the opportunity God wants us to take in being faithful to His story, remember the simple reason why we do what we do. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7 This is a day you will not get back. Make it such a day that you will look back and be amazed at what God is doing all around the world, even where you live. I am looking forward to this 3rd Advent Sunday as our Choir and Orchestra make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Come with great anticipation that God will draw us into what He is doing. Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
Categories |