While Waiting

¨The master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know.¨  Matthew 24:50 (Reference Bible)

What a wonderful thing it would be if we could agree that the most beneficial attitude a Christian could possibly attain would be the one of anxious waiting.  In fact, the degrees of closeness to the Lord which we could reach might be directly related to the degree of urgency we place upon our Savior´s return.

The Christian who does not concern him or herself much with this pressing future event, most surely will not hold the proper importance for all the other qualities which one should seek as servants of the Lord.

For example; the servant who does not weigh his or her actions as to what is the most beneficial at this late hour, may prefer to look towards pleasing him or herself.  On the other hand when we sense that the moment of our Savior´s return is now at any moment, then any thought of our own comfort or desires is ridiculous and frivolous.

When Jesus says that it will be good for that servant to be doing what his Master has asked of him, we might want to clarify what the Master asks.  We could twist things around and try to make an argument to push forward the importance of works.  Or we could leave that issue to others to stumble over on their own undoing and concentrate on getting closer to Jesus.

We do know that in Him we must be found.  We do know that if we want to live for all eternity, than we should be completely and correctly adjusted to the Ones with whom we will be spending it with.  We should work towards having the same line of thought and values as the God who would take us there.  How can we know what those are if we are not constantly and deeply connected in personal experience and close relationship?

Dear Jesus our Master, You have left us here in Your estate.  We will not know the exact moment of Your return but we do sense that it could be soon.  We know all things bow to Your command and therefore would like to boldly ask You to give consent for one thing.  Please allow us to be burdened with an overwhelming sense of urgency about Your coming.  Before we consider any of the pressures or concerns which bombard us each day or pull insistently to gain our attention, let us first think of You.  Give us a sense of responsibility to where our heart is and where we offer up our efforts.  Direct all our attention, emotions and efforts towards You.  Let us learn what pleases You far more than good deeds, such as the placing of our hands in Yours and looking to You with an adoring gaze.

In Your name we pray,

Amen