Advent
December 3, 2017

Scripture Reading: Mark 13:24-37

‘But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.’ –Mark 13:32-37

Mark continues his end-time theme as he tells us to stay alert. My Mom attended summer school one year to pick up a couple of courses she needed to get her Oklahoma teaching credential. I had just finished the first grade, my sister the third grade, and my brother the fifth grade. Since my Dad farmed, he was never too far away, but Mom carefully planned our work and left us instructions each day based on our capabilities at each age. The most important thing we soon understood was getting everything done by the time her car turned into the driveway. I do not remember using any grand plan to have our work done on time, and she certainly allowed plenty of time for us to play, practice the piano, and read. I do remember scampering to finish some tasks at the last minute.

I do not think Jesus envisioned his followers sitting on the front porch shaking each other to keep us all awake until he arrives. Nor do I think he expects us to put all the work he assigned off until we see him round the bend. We have been called to fulfill each of the tasks he set before us through his earthly ministry in our every waking moment. We are literally to shape our lives around his call to love and to spread his love.

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own. 

I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.*

 Refrain:
But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”*

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we idle our lives away from sharing the love of God with all of God’s children. Amen

*First and last verse with refrain of I Know Whom I Have Believed by Daniel W. Whittle see at http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/I_Know_Whom_I_Have_Believed/

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.