Freedom is an interesting thing, at least in concept. To many it means
being able to do whatever I want, whenever I want, with whoever I want, and
however I want. I-yi-yi. But true freedom requires some restraint, we call it
responsibility, or we have anarchy. Imagine a group of 5 year olds running the
world, funny for awhile, but after 5 minutes of 5 year olds, it takes 5 hours to
fix it. And sometimes we enter into these situations innocently, not knowing
the future effects. But God knows, and to many like me who have been turned
down earlier in life to have married the wrong girl, we are very glad to have
waited.
My Nana was a sweet lady. Hard worker, she worked piece work in a blouse
factory in Pennsylvania. She was originally from Brooklyn, her mother killed by
a trolley car when she was very young, and having my Mother and my aunt while
still a teenager. Note-did you know the Dodgers were named after people dodging
trolley cars-in Brooklyn? But when her husband, Charlie Murphy died of lung
cancer in 1965, she was a widow for 20 years. She loved to bowl, and soon
started spending time with Charlie's brother John. They married and he was very
good to her. But he was also a widower, and like Nana, had a family of his
own. And when the two married they brought them all together. We used to joke
with my mother,"do you call him Uncle John or Dad?" John seemed to work best
for all of us.
But Nana preceded John in death. And inherited all of Nana's stuff, which
was his by marriage. Which was fine. Until John died, and then his family
inherited all his stuff, including that which was Nana's, and that her family,
us had wanted. But somehow it got lost, and many things of value-not valuables
were lost forever. My Nana who used to love to take pictures, had many albums,
which now were gone, and with them, some of my family's history. I never
thought that John's family ever did anything mean, or kept these from us, it was
just the spoils of war, or inheritance at this point, and like Andy Jackson used
to brag, "to the victor belong the spoils." Losers are never so boastful.
Now God knows many things, all to be exact, and He warns the Jewish girls
in Numbers to not marry outside of their tribe. And that if they do, the land
they inherited will pass on to their husbands from another tribe when they die,
depleting the tribe of its land. But adding to the property of the stranger's
homeland. Good advice to remember today, as we don't know tomorrow. Even
psychics are taken by surprise, as God confuses them. As if they weren't
confused enough themselves. But God's plans for a future and a hope, can get
derailed by bad decisions. I never thought Nana's was a bad decision, and we
never waited for her to die so we could live, but I know she would be upset that
her things never got passed down to her daughters, and then to their children.
But...that's the rest of the story.
So when Jesus tells us to watch for the return of the Master in His
parable, He is referring to watching not so much for the Master, the Savior, the
Messiah, but to watch out for those who will steal from you, mislead you, or
lead you astray. "Do not be deceived," He warns, and yet many do, entering into
relationships without going to God first. And they may be OK, for a while, but
the damage can be passed onto future generations without knowing, and without
wishing to. God knows, and gives us the chance to be successful based on His
knowledge, and guidance, so why don't we use it? Too many good Christians get
led astray by becoming prophecy addicts, and miss the gospel's message. They
feed their own curiosity, rather than fulfilling God's order to make disciples.
They themselves cannot even be disciple. And particularly sad are those that
argue over the date of Jesus' return, neglecting basic scripture, when Jesus
Himself doesn't even know. Or worse yet, are more concerned about who is the
anti-Christ, when if save they will not be here, and never know, so what does it
matter?
So Jesus says watch. Are you? And who are you looking for? Do you keep
your eyes set on things on high-heaven? Or are you so entrapped in the world
that you adopt your own gospel? And miss the true calling? Watch...Nana's
innocent action was a loss for us. It was only some photos and memorabilia, but
valuable to us, and it was to her. Think-what are you leaving behind? Are you
taking good care of what is yours, or doesn't it matter to you what you leave
behind? It is important to God, who set the example. He sent His Holy Spirit
to guide us until the return of His son, Jesus Christ. What legacy are you
leaving? Where you lead, others will follow. So who are you following? And
where does it lead? Strangers in a strange land, with no legacy to fall back
on. Thankfully God has given us His arms to fall back on. Freedom to be passed
on, not used for personal gain. God knows all about it, and wants you included
in it. The offer is His, for you. Where you end up is now up to you. And the
things of God...it all comes down to a Last Will and Testament. God's will for
you is...and His New Testament is all about Jesus. Are you watching? Your
legacy will tell more than you think...does it include Jesus? What are you
leaving behind? No matter your wealth, you will leave everything. So pass on
some love while you can. God knows, do you God?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com