An hour when you do not expect Him
Today was a full day. I mean, the kind of day that when it comes to the end you feel full. Full not from food but from the nourishment achieved with dedicated time with God, precious time with family, and a little bit of time for self.
I often reflect while sitting in church and today’s reflection had me wondering if I am ready. What if Jesus came knocking on my door today, how would I receive Him? How would He see me? Ideally I like to think that I would immediately know if I was in the presence of our Lord and Savior, but what if I didn’t? How would I treat the stranger that knocked on my door? Would I invite him in? Would I gently shut the door behind me and walk on the porch making sure there was separation from him and those I hold dear? Would I even answer the door or would I ignore it whenI look at my ring camera and not recognize who is on my porch? What if I didn’t know the hour that he would arrive, would I be ready?
Our Pastor today reminded us to do the right thing, to offer grace when grace is not first offered. He encouraged us to be kind first, to be loving first. When we do these things and do them consistently, we stand ready. God directs us and tells us that we “must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Luke 12:40, NIV).
I have this exercise daily when I reflect on the day and take accountability of my actions, all my encounters. There are days that I follow God’s direction with ease, and there are days that it is a struggle sometimes lost.
As I reflect on today, and the fullness of the day, I know that I would open that door. I am overflowing with love and want to share that joy. Who knows where that conversation would lead…maybe we would share stories of all our kids and grandkids (since I’m a GG now:), maybe he would tell me about his day, maybe he would simply open his arms for me to walk into his embrace.
Today, I pray that you choose to do the right thing, even if it is a hard day. I pray that you treat others the way you want to be treated in spite of how they treat you. I pray that, regardless of the hour or the day, that you are ready and you open the door to our Lord and Savior.
