Walking through
the hallways of a middle school, the principal noticed a new substitute teacher
standing outside her classroom with her forehead against a locker. The newcomer
was heard to mutter, “How did you get yourself into this?” Knowing she had been
assigned to a difficult class the principal tried to offer moral support, “Are
you okay?” he asked; “Can I help?” The substitute teacher lifted her head and
replied, “I’ll be fine as soon as I get this kid out of his locker.”
It’s the time
of the year that most kids and many teachers dread: Back to School! Soon the
vacations, beaches, fishing trips, and picnics will be in the past. While we
are tempted to let out a big groan, perhaps we should remind ourselves what a
fantastic opportunity lies ahead of us. The Lord tells us that, “… we should
let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our
Father in heaven” (Mathew 5:16). That means every class meeting, every ball
game, and every lunchtime is an opportunity to be a glowing example of
Christianity - both student and teacher. After a summer of fun and adventure,
it’s difficult to return to the books. As Christians, though, we can look
forward to getting back into the public life that allows us to let out
Christian lights shine. Be a light for Christ.
It’s also time
to renew that ritual of getting out of bed earlier and getting off to school. I
use my phone alarm to wake me in the morning and when the sounds it also
displays a text giving me an option: “Tap To Snooze.” Tap and I’m good for
another ten minutes of comfort and peace. Make it a habit and one finds themselves
late for work or school. A person’s use of the snooze button is not “the end of
the world” but it tends to start the day off on the wrong foot - raising one’s
anxiety level with rushing and hurrying to get going.
[Hebrews 9:27]
I want us to think very seriously about the snooze button of our soul – before it
is “the end of the world.” Whether we want to admit it or not – our lives are
terminal. Furthermore, our time on this earth is relatively short (James 4:14).
Also, the end of the earth is definite (2 Peter 3:9-12); 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3;
Matthew 24:35-39).
Considering the
latter facts, we can be certain there is a lot of uncertainty concerning the “when”
of the end of our life. * We are not promised tomorrow. * Many people have died
sooner than expected. * And the time of the Lord’s return will not be known
until it occurs.
This should
motivate us to want to be ready for the end - all the time. “For we all must
appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things
done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2
Corinthians 5:10). If at the end, we be found in continual state of sin, Jesus
will utter those bone chilling words, “…I never knew you; depart from Me, you who
practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:23).
Jesus has
sounded the alarm! He has called us all to His gospel to wake up, get up, and
stay up. “Therefore, He says, ‘Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light’” (Ephesians 5:14; Isaiah 26:19, 60:1). We “wake
up” when we come to the knowledge of truth (1 Timothy 2:4; Romans 10:17). We “get
up” when we humbly submit to the truth (Hebrews 11:6; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:10;
Mark 16:16). And we “stay up” by “walking in the light (truth) as He is in the
light (God’s truth)” (1 John 1:7). Sadly, too many are still hitting the snooze
button of their soul. We live everyday thinking, “There’s always tomorrow.”
When we breathe our last, we cannot “Tap To Snooze.” When Jesus returns, we
cannot “Tap To Snooze.” The time to be ready is now. “Therefore, let us not
sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. …let us who are of the day
be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love…” (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8). He’s coming! Don’t be snoozing.