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Watch & Work
John TiltonMark 13:32-34
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
Jesus word and warning was clear when he stated it then and continues to be clear today; that no one indeed knows the hour of His return. Thus, we as believers must be alert, ready and prepared. Jesus metaphor of a man leaving his home and assigning responsibility and authority to his servants including having one watch at the door is a clear illustration of what our assignments, responsibilities and authority prior to His return.
Having just gone on a mission trip and returned; in my absence I put my son Ikaika in charge of our household, giving him assignments with our pets, animals, garbage, cleanliness, mail, newspaper and maintaining our vehicles while the rest of the family would be gone. And although Ikaika knew when our return would be, he needed to keep watch over our home and anything that might arise in our absence with our rental/tenant and matters related to our home complex and our family in our absence. We were delighted to return to Honolulu with Ikaika waiting at the airport as planned. Upon arriving at home, I found that everything I asked him to do was done; everything was stewarded and maintained well, even finding out that he had guests over for three days staying at the house … miracle!
So to with our spiritual homes and lives that we have been given the honor to steward with the assignments that God has placed on our lives through His word of our personal relationship with Him, the lives that we live in spiritual obedience and discipline, being part of the Great Commission and for those of us who are honored to serve in His ministry; that we would fulfill the call and assignments that we have been given.
Being alert and ready is the same as being watchful as depicted in His scripture. Being alert is just the state of being cognizant of what to expect or anticipate. However, being not just ready, but prepared and ready is having fulfilled one’s assignments for what is to come. We can be cognizant and ready, but having not being prepared whereby we are ready with what is expected of us. I know that my awaiting His return is to be who Jesus has called me to be in obedience and discipline to His word, having fulfilled my assignments and responsibilities of the call on my life as a person, husband, father, friend and believer. Then, I believe that I am not only alert and ready, but prepared for His glorious return.
Dear Lord, may imbed in me what I have just learned with insight that I would follow through in being watchful with heart in hand to the plow; alert, ready and prepared for your return.
