What Really Matters

"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Matthew 24:44

I love the way God reveals Himself to us through everyday things...sometimes through our own thoughts and actions. As I was working on getting things in order yesterday, I couldn't help but stop and compare my current state of anticipation for the baby's arrival to my relationship with the Lord.

I found myself somewhat frantic to get the house back in order after the painting for fear that the baby would come before I had it all finished. I started in his room, making sure everything was back in place and looked just right. Lately, no matter what I am doing, my thoughts turn to whether I am prepared for the baby's arrival at that moment in time. Are all the dishes washed? Is there a speck of something on the floor? Is my hair clean? Where is my bag? Is it still packed? Is the camera charged? You get the point. I am someone who likes to know what to expect; I'm not a big fan of surprises. I cannot--not for one second--control when the baby will come. So, I have been focusing all of my efforts on being prepared at any given moment. It is a pretty exhausting task.

All of this thinking about how ridiculously I am trying to control the situation in true "Lindsay" fashion turned my attention to the second coming of Jesus. I do not know when it will happen and what I will be doing at that moment in time. I know that I am a Christian; therefore, when Jesus comes back, whether I am alive or dead, I will go to be with Him in Heaven because I have accepted Him as my Savior.

I know that I have the basics covered in preparation for His arrival, much like I do for the arrival of our son. I know for a fact that I will be able to provide the baby with food, clothing, and shelter. That's really all he needs, but I want so much more for my son. I want him to come home to a clean, peaceful environment. I want his room to be perfect. I want everything to be in place. This is all extra preparation that I feel is important.

Although I have the basics covered for Jesus' arrival because I have secured a personal relationship with Him, am I as concerned with preparation for HIS coming as I should be? Will I be caught doing His will? Will I be loving others with the unconditional love of Christ? Will I be found serving others, or worrying about petty things that have no eternal significance?

It's a very simple comparison that even a young child could understand, but God spoke to my heart and placed a sense of urgency in me to become more concerned with the details that surround the coming of His Son. There is too much work to be done, too many people that still do not know Him and will spend eternity in Hell.

Lord, I know it is natural for a soon-to-be mother to anticipate the arrival of a baby. What a blessing! I just pray that You would help me become concerned with eternal matters and the preparation of my heart for Your coming. I want to be ready for that event more than anything. I know that if I am focused on You, the small details that concern my life on earth will fall into place and I will be able to show my son through my actions that it is what happens after life on earth that really matters.