Joy in Watchful Living

Harry S. Truman State Park, Missouri

My dad was a happy man, but he took his life and his responsibilities seriously. He worked hard, and he taught us to be accountable in life.

Outings often found us in the woods or in areas around lakes and water. In Florida, that means weeds and snakes and alligators. Early in life, we were taught to look where we stepped and not to run carelessly through high weeds or to jump over rotting logs, a favorite resting place of snakes. Instead, dad taught us to be aware of our surroundings, to listen, to be quiet, to look before we leaped. He and mom modeled how to approach the woods and water in careful way and still have fun. We had a lot of fun. I remember those lessons as I hike through the woods and wade in the water today.

Florida Wetland

Dad taught us to watch, to be aware, to understand what was going on around us. We didn’t have to be afraid.

Jesus did the same type of teaching when His disciples asked Him about the end of the age in Mark, chapter thirteen.

“Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” (Mark 13:4, KJV).

When Jesus began to answer this question, He gave His disciples specific things to look for, but repeatedly He told them to “take heed” or pay attention. The signs are there, but they are interspersed with his instructions to “pay attention” (verses 5, 9, 23, 33), to “watch (verses 33, 35, 37), to “understand” (verse 14), to “learn” (verse 28), and to “pray” (verse 33).

In addition to these cautions, though, Jesus also told his followers to not be troubled.

“And when ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet” (Mark 13:7, KJV).

He was reminding them amid all His cautions that God has this. You don’t need to worry.

That was Dad’s message to us in the woods. Pay attention, watch the signs, but you can still enjoy yourself.

Today, as we face a world in crisis, we see many of the signs that Jesus warned us about and we, like the disciples wonder when He will come again. How will this all work out?  Things don’t look too good. There are a lot of weeds, and they are hiding a lot of snakes and alligators (figuratively).  We long for His coming even as our hearts ache for those who do not yet know Him.

Still, our task remains the same. Pay attention, so that we are not caught unawares. Watch and pray, learn and understand God’s word, so that we are not mislead. Then, live life for Him until He comes.

Fear not, for we wait for our King,

and there is no fear in love. (I John 4:18)

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28, KJV)

Father, thank You for preparing our hearts for the perilous times in which we live. Thank You for Your grace that carries us through the hard times and the fearful times with courage and hope. We look forward to Your coming, and we want to live today to honor You, with glad hearts that are seeking others to bring with us into Your kingdom. We love You, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray.