We love vacations, in fact I have been accused of my life being a vacation,
not sure what that one meant. But we start to plan our summer trips in the
fall, altering them as the year goes by, adding roads and subtracting roads, to
make the trip better. But once a date to leave has been established, the real
planning begins, along with a countdown. Only 185 days till we leave, then the
100 mark, then finally the last days of the countdown. Which seem to go by
slower, as the day gets nearer. We love looking forward to the day we leave
with great anticipation, we can pack in less than an hour so much of the
pre-trip preparation is done. But when the day arrives, we are out of here, and
another, not as exciting countdown begins, that of how many days until we
return, or the trip ends. Today was tomorrow yesterday as far as our
anticipation . And the last few days go much faster than the last few days of
leaving went slower. With the cycle beginning again in the fall. Time is a
constant, even if we aren’t, and to those who find time going faster as we get
older, the truth is we are getting slower. In everything except our
vacations....
As Christians we talk of eternity like it was a date on a calendar.
Remember the hippie saying “today is the first day of the rest of your life,” it
seems we confuse today with forever. We want to live forever, if we can only
get through today. Jesus emphasizes the importance of his daily bread, and of
our eternal life in heaven, but we lose interest between the two. We look back,
we seldom look ahead, but rarely truly look at today as we should. Such was the
case of the meeting between Paul and Felix. Here we see Felix, along with his
wife who he invited, to spend time with the author of most of the New Testament,
yet he loses track, or maybe his true goal is revealed. He wants money from
Paul, and when he doesn’t get it, tells him “that’s enough for now, you can
leave. I will call you when it is convenient.” But hoping Paul would come
through with the sway, called for him frequently. With God, what is more
convenient than right now?
Yet the excuses flow when it comes time for Jesus. Church, family, job,
career, motorcycles, and hobbies all dictate our worship time. To some it
becomes a daily ritual with little or no meaning, God warns of rote prayers, how
much of your time with God is a rerun from yesterday? Do you pray as you go,
reflect Jesus in your life as you go, or would we recognize you in public
without your church face on? Paul was telling Felix of a time when all things
secret will be revealed, enough to curtail any conversation. Yet we act as if
Jesus doesn’t know, and our lives when exposed will be a surprise to him, and
us. Maybe that helps explain why an hour at church make us uncomfortable, or
why they take the offering first before the sermon. Our attitude towards giving
may differ greatly after hearing what lousy sinners we are. Being asked to give
money after Jesus tells us the love of money is the root of all evil. Paul was
telling Felix it will all be exposed....so Felix sent him away, to meet him at a
more convenient time. Of course we would never do that.....
Personally I would rather be riding my motorcycle deep in thought with the
spirit than sitting in church thinking about riding. Maybe it is a good thing
we don’t wear labels on our lapels expressing our thoughts. Yet at the end of
the service, who doesn’t tell the pastor what a great message he gave, when
confronted. Or lies to their friend about it. Felix was expressing our
thoughts 2000 years ago, we know Jesus is the same, yesterday, and forever, but
so are we. Is that any way to prepare for eternity? So I like the advice of
Augustine, who after being told by the spirit he would win a battle when
outnumbered, won miraculously, and made Christianity the rule. He says “love
God and enjoy life.” What good is fun if we don’t enjoy it, and who should have
more fun than a Christian? We should enjoy today, knowing Jesus is with us.
Anticipate a great tomorrow, knowing it will again be today. And reflect back
on yesterday, on how he took us through. Today, tomorrow, and yesterday have no
place in heaven, eternity has no dates. But life now does, what are you doing
with your today? Are you putting off time with Jesus until it is more
convenient? Would you put off a ride or trip until it is more convenient? How
many times do we tell Jesus to come back when it is more convenient? Is the
hold button the most used on your prayer time? Is your time with Jesus put on
hold to be played back at a later date? Only you, and God know the answer.
Someday we all will as it will be revealed.....
Time with Jesus doesn’t stop when on vacation. If you knew the day of your
death how would it effect today’s actions? We look forward to heaven, I doubt
anyone will have a calendar there marking off the days since they arrived. Some
look forward to a vacation, some live a vacation, some look forward to heaven,
some enjoy the benefits now. “On earth as it is in heaven,” Jesus told his
disciples. Start packing now, start enjoying now. Felix had the ultimate trip
advisor, yet sought the payoff of money instead. Who advises you will reflect
in your planning. Only 152 shopping days until Christmas.....still time to
panic. Your vacation in the spirit can start today, he’ll let you know the
check out time. Until then, enjoy life and love Jesus. Tomorrow never looked
as promising as it does today. Like the old songs goes, “I love you more today
than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow...” Jesus took the time to bleed,
can you take the time to read? Start packing now!
love with compassion,
MIke
matthew25biker.blogspot.com