DINNER DATE

Connect:

I once heard this story about a young lady who was frantically getting ready for a blind date. This date was not like any other date it wasn't just dinner and a movie; her date included plans to go to an exclusive downtown restaurant with live music and dancing. Of course she wanted to make a good first impression, so she took the day off to get ready. She stayed at home, and put on her makeup and did her hair. She put on her best dress and then waited for the arrival of her knight in shining armor to appear. His expected arrival came and went, and still she waited. Finally, after waiting for over an hour she took off her dress, put her pajamas back on, and assumed that she had been stood up. Later that evening, she heard a knock at her front door, and to her surprise it was her date. She quickly opened the door, and her date look back at her in sheer shock and amazement. Then he glibly said, "What I gave you an extra two hours and you're still not ready to go!"

Reflect: Read Mark 13.1-37

In the 13th chapter of Mark, Jesus and his disciples are having a discussion about the end times. They like the girl in our story are curiously waiting for this fantastic event. They like the girl are prone to give up to quickly, and so Jesus has to speak to them and to us sternly about this dreadful period of time. It is not an easy time to live in. There are trials and temptations. Many will fall away from the faith. Many will desert God. In verse 32, Jesus says, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." Therefore we must all be on our guard. We must always be watching. We must always wait. We can not give up or slack up. We can't have Christ return to his church and say, "What I gave you an extra two hours and you're still not ready to go!"

Direct:

How are you mimicing an attitude of readiness this week? How are you living with an attitude of watchfulness? Are you working towards the day in which you will be reunited with God or are you getting into you PJs and watching late night TV, thinking that he will never come? The reality is that one day we will be reunited with God the Father. One day we will stand before his throne and will be held accountable for all that we have done and left undone. What will our response be when the knock comes on our front door. Will you be dressed and ready, or not?