Time Keeps on Slippin'

Depending on how the past nearly two months have gone, parents eagerly anticipate or sadly contemplate that, within less than a month, Anchorage schools will resume classes.  Ruled paper, #2 pencils, crayons, and thumb drives fill Amazon virtual and Big Box Store actual carts.  New shoes (in which one can jump much higher and run extremely faster) sit at the ready.  Hair appointments are written (again - virtually or actually) on calendars.

Depending on their level of love for school, students either happily plan or grudgingly accept that the first bell will soon ring.

In regard to academic calendars and life in general, our readiness determines our attitude.  In the Psalms, Psalm 139 specifically, David wrote . . .

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
Verses 7-8 (NIV)

Surely, depending on the day (at times), David found comfort in that assurance; while at other times he hoped that his omnipresent and omniscient God could be less present and knew a bit less. 

Jesus, while teaching, most often chose to instruct through the use of parables.  To the subject of the fruition of the Kingdom of God (specifically, His return), He dedicated many a parable.  Readiness was the theme.  We learn from His parables that, like school, some will be rejoicing when He returns while others will be unprepared.  Jesus, leaving little room for misunderstanding, explained . . .
Matthew 24:36 (NIV)

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

No one is privy to God's timetable.  What then should we do?  We must be ready.  When we choose readiness, we (in confidence) believe that when Jesus returns, we will be found with carts full of faith, grace, and fruit.  To be ready includes an eager anticipation of hearing Jesus declare, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Are you ready?

Matthew 24:42-44 (NIV)
42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

#ordinarylives