Notes to the Lord: On Getting Ready and Staying Ready

Scripture Reflection:Matthew 24

⁴²"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

Lord Jesus--You want me to be alert but not anxious...alert but not afraid...alert but not obsessive...alert by not hyper-vigilant. Alert and willing to serve you...alert and engaged in the activity of growing to be more like you...alert doing the next right thing that you set before me.

⁴³"But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. ⁴⁴"For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.

Lord Jesus--Even for your alert and serving people, it will be a divine surprise when you show up to take them home. Thieves come when the house is quiet and settled for the night. I like surprises, but I can so easily be distracted.

⁴⁵"Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? ⁴⁶"Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. ⁴⁷"Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

Up Close and Personal--Living out faithfulness over a life time is what you are asking. You know me so well, do I do it perfectly? Absolutely not...but that doesn't mean that the meals don't still need to be done. Is every meal a banquet? Not happening...

There is regularity and there are rituals of life that just have to get done...dishes that need to be washed, clothes that need to be washed...meals that need to be prepared. There are responsibilities and commitments that need to be lived out over a life time. There is blessing in living out the responsibilities you have called me to over time.

Lord Jesus--So what is it that you are asking of me? To do the hard work of follow through even when it isn't fun any more and the shine has rubbed off the job description. You have called me to be your servant throughout the stages of life until I see you.

In the day that will begin in just a couple hours remind me of the rituals that need to be lived out in the daily grind. Coffee that needs to be made, work that needs to be done well, words of encouragement that need to be said. Prayers that need to be prayed in the middle of a busy day.

Lord Jesus--Can you make each act an offering to you. Nothing grand in the coming day...just living out your call alert and ready for your return. Who knows maybe you will come back today.