Glory in the Morning

(This is a free picture from pixabay, of a collection of treasures.)

Near the end of Luke 12, Jesus is talking about being ready for when the Lord comes back, much like a servant who is always ready for his master. Servants are to be watchful and to be getting ready for the master’s return. Are WE watching and ready? Am I? What does that look like in today’s world? As always, when reading God’s Word, we want to be on the right side of things, don’t we? So, I thought about this verse hard.

Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,  like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Luke 12:35-37 NIV

If we are watching out for someone to come, we are expecting, anticipating, looking forward to their arrival. When a guest comes to our house, don’t we make sure the house is clean and we have good food and a bed and maybe entertainment planned, just for them? We want our guest to be comfortable and feel loved and wanted. What if we transfer that to Jesus?

I am not sure HIs main concern is that we have a nice place for Him, so what really does He expect of us? How do we make Him feel loved and wanted then? What does He want to see when He comes back? This verse spoke to me. Jesus told the crowd:

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:48(b) NIV

Just thinking off the top of my head, but…If we are looking forward to His coming and Jesus told us to be ready, we can prepare how?

The first thing that comes to my mind is to see earthly things as just that, earthly things.

It’s about perspective. I am not even sure why this is so pressed into my heart right now, but the verse above makes me think we need to hold loosely the things of this world. After all, if we hold tightly to the things of this world, doesn’t that mean we are setting up our kingdom here? Can’t we hold tighter to things of God if we see heavenly things, especially a relationship with our Savior and God as our most prized treasure?

Secondly, and this is something my husband and I discussed…

Not only do we need to hold loosely the things of this world, but we need to let go of them if the Lord desires.

Personal note…this just happened yesterday… I looked at our collection of antique iron toys and wondered if it is okay to collect them. I like them a lot, but when I pass by the shelf sometimes, I think … “How many people could we feed if we sold them?” When I mentioned this to my husband, he said, “But you like them.” I replied, “Yes, but would I give them up if I needed to?” This brought on a discussion. We came to the conclusion that we would not sell them right now, but we will sell them if the Lord moves us. We are ready to do so. I think that is the whole point…

We are willing to give up or give in as God directs, because earthly stuff just shouldn’t matter more than God.

Thirdly, and this is a broad idea and covers a lot of ground. We are to be ready to do what our Master wants, no matter what it is.

That is probably the most freeing thing ever. I have not always felt this way, I admit. I was in control of how much I gave God. I gave enough that I felt I didn’t appear too selfish with God’s blessings. But you know what? I don’t make the rules. HE does. Also, I can’t fool God. He sees my heart. He knows if I am holding back.

What I got out of this passage and I hope you can relate…We are entrusted with much, to do God’s will with it. Our stuff is not ours, really. We just hold tight to it as if it is. How we use it, share it, hold it, appreciate it and offer it back to God is an offering to Him. I hope this doesn’t sound too “preachy” because it is not meant that way. I am excited that Jesus is coming back and I want us all to be ready!

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for helping me see that waiting and watching for You is a big part of my job here on earth. All I know is…I need to trust You enough to let go of earthly stuff. I need to be ready for Your return. Help me to keep this perspective, that everything is God’s, not mine. Help me to share what I have been entrusted with. I am ready and waiting for Your return. I will do my best to live each day as if it’s the day You come back. I love You so much! Amen

With love from the Father to you,

Christina