Matthew 6:38-40
I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.
“This,
in a nutshell, is that will: that everything handed over to me by the
Father be completed—not a single detail missed—and at the wrap-up of
time I have everything and everyone put together, upright and whole.
This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts
who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real
life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole
at the completion of time.”
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
For decades, a women’s
circle at my church has hosted a breakfast for the graduating high
school seniors shortly before their last day of school. This year, I
offered to help with the preparation and serving of this breakfast. As
the students finished their meal, the class sponsor went over some
important information with them…dates and times for baccalaureate…when
and where to be for graduation rehearsal…the rescheduling of a group
photo… and more. She covered many details, making sure that everything
was neatly prepared and tied together so that everyone will be ready for
these events - and the final ceremony will hopefully go off without a
hitch.
The sponsor also read a little devotional to the students
and talked to them about what happens after high school…how college is
different – and continual study is required. She reminded them that
even those who are joining the workforce will need to learn to
discipline themselves to get up and get going every day…that whatever
happens in this next chapter of life for these almost-adults, effort
will be required to be successful and productive.
Several times,
this teacher told the group…”This is not my rule…it came from the
administration.” Or she would say, “I did not decide this…I’m telling
you what I was told to share.” As for the “life lesson,” she cited
comments from several college students and graduates who had told her
how challenging life can be after high school. In this passage, Jesus
tells His disciples that “I came to do God’s will…and I am giving you
EVERYTHING you need, so that when I return for those who believe in Me,
you will all be ready.”
The students at the breakfast trust
that the information the teacher/sponsor gave them is accurate and
vital. We who have given our hearts to Jesus are expected to trust His
word for us - and to follow His instructions. What does this include?
Jesus has told us to love God with all our heart, mind and soul…and to
love others as we love Him. He has commanded us to share His Good News
with everyone we encounter…to trust Him in all things…and to have hope
and faith that He is preparing a place for us with Him for all Eternity.
Jesus performed miracles to demonstrate that He is
all-powerful…that anything is possible with Him. He demonstrated
incomparable sacrifice by dying on the cross for our sins. He rose from
the grave three days later and instructed His disciples concerning how
to minister to others in His absence. And He gave us the Holy Spirit to
be our Forever Friend in the interim.
Jesus “covered all the
bases.” He left nothing to chance or assumption. He was clear and
distinct in His directives to us…and in His demonstrations of why we
should trust Him and believe in Him. And if we follow through on these
instructions, everything should go exactly as it is supposed to on the
day when we are called to Heaven…whether this happens before Christ
returns for His church – or during.
I hope all of the students
were listening carefully yesterday to the words from the sponsor. More
importantly, I hope that WE are listening to Jesus’ words for each of
us. He has accomplished the will of the One who sent Him…now it is time
to do OUR part to honor His commitment and commandments. How do you
think you are doing so far?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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