Saturday, December 17, 2022
“It’s Now or Never”
Today is the last day in the Continental US to send packages via USPS First Class Mail to arrive in time for Christmas (except for my home in the Florida barrier islands, which never receives packages on time). That’s right. After today, you’ll have to pay more money to get it there on time, and the shipping charges will increase each day afterward.
What a nightmare. It kind of sounds like the late charges on a bill. Creditors try to ding us for every day that we don’t pay on time. Though it’s not something I currently need to worry about, although I’ve spent enough on late charges to know that being on time pays, literally.
Those increased shipping charges and additional late charges are a good comparison to our Faith lives. As each day passes that we don’t follow God’s advice, we miss more and more of the blessings that God may have prepared for us and those around us.
I know. You’ve probably quit reading because the pastor is “trying to make me feel guilty” again. Well, that’s not exactly right, but you’re not too far from the truth, either. I am trying to make all of us think carefully about God’s leading, especially during the Holidays. We will encounter and recognize many different circumstances that need God’s presence. The problem is that we tend to ignore those instances. Instead, we throw it away and assume that we’re not qualified or pretend to have another valid reason. The excuses for ignoring God’s direction are plentiful and we’ll find other priorities if we try (Trust me, I am a professional God-dodger).
This doesn’t have to be the day that we turn away! The people and places we find today will change by tomorrow… so we must capture the moment and answer God’s voice when we hear it. It’s now or never because every day will have unique situations with a choice to respond! God needs us today so let’s make it NOW!
“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10 The Message)