So I didn't start blogging for a long time because I know myself well enough to know I would post several times the first week, once the next week, and then forget about it for several weeks...then post several in a week... I hate being a creature of habit, especially when the bad habits are easier to form than the good habits.
One of my bad habits is neglecting work that needs to be done. I've been getting better when it comes to lawn care. Monday was my planned day to mow, and when I went out to begin, there was nothing but blue sky to the south. To the north, a towering wall of solid cloud hung like a curtain, waiting for the cue to throw open as the show begins. To the south, ninety degrees and not a cloud in the sky. To the north, a wave of cool air was washing over the beach between me and the mountainous mass, only the wave didn't recede back to its master. It moved over the earth, cooling the air in a moment. It felt as if I pushed my mower off a diving board into the kind of water that takes your breath away. The excitement of the approaching storm caused me to finish a 25 minute task in 15 flat. If only I could get into the habit of finishing lawn work ahead of every storm! Instead, too often I let the storms bring rain to an already overgrown lawn. By the time I get around to mowing after the storm, there are large game animals taking shelter under the blades of grass.
|Gospel|
The spiritual habits form in much the same way. As spiritual beings, we are constantly in need of maintenance. We must keep our spiritual well-being groomed and prepared before the storms hit. Otherwise we will be caught off guard, and there will be no time for reforming ourselves. Jesus warned us of the storm that is coming.
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 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. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Matthew 24:42-45)
It's not a surprise. Jesus is coming back! We don't know the hour, but we know the event is inevitable, and could come at any moment.
There is a storm on the horizon. I can't tell you when the rain will hit my house, but I know it's going to rain. There are signs if only you'll look for them. So get your lawn mowed already.
1 comment:
I hate mowing. In fact, I hire someone to do it for me because I hate it so much. I'm proud of you for doing it BEFORE the storm hit, even if you did see the storm on the horizon.
I love your storm clouds. But, you know that. That's a great picture.
Jesus tells me to be prepared. I never feel like I am prepared enough. In that, I'm thankful for grace from my Father in heaven.
But, I'm also beginning to feel urgency! Is it because my parents are both gone and I'm probably the next in our immediate family to die? Is it because I'm getting older and I see the end of my life as clearly as I remember the beginning? Or is Jesus telling me that the time to prepare is NOW! Because I want to be ready!
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