Running Out of Time

You know what? I’m just gonna say it. We’re running out of time. There’s not much time left to be wishy-washy about where you stand, what you believe in, nor where you plan to spend eternity. I’m not usually one for the “turn or burn” kind of messaging, but I just sense that time is running out so quickly and I’m watching so many of the people that I care about linger on the sidelines. They either ignore God completely or, possibly worse, they think, “Sure, I’m going to get serious later…but for now, I just want to relax and have fun and enjoy my life. God wants me to be happy…right?! And I don’t have time for all that church stuff. I’ve got a job to do and a house to clean and maybe babies to raise. I mean, I pray and I believe in Him. That should be good enough.”

But is it? Is it enough? I think, deep down, we all know it isn’t. It’s not enough to just pray when you feel like it. It’s not enough to say you believe if the life you’re living doesn’t reflect those beliefs. I’m not talking about perfection. I’m talking about truly seeking. What sacrifice is your time if you only honor God when you have nothing else to do? Do you REALLY believe in the fullness of the Gospel? Do you believe that God is a jealous God? Do you believe that God will not allow you to have any other Gods before Him, including idols like entertainment, money, and fleshly living? Do you really think that the God of the Universe is okay with an attitude of, “Yeah, I believe in You but I’m so busy I don’t have time to do all that Christian stuff.” You WANT to go to Heaven…you HOPE you do…but that’s not the same as KNOWING you’re going. It’s like an epidemic…everyone wants to be blessed, but not everyone wants to bless God.  

The time for “fun” is over, and I believe most of us know it on one level or another. And what you’re calling “fun”…is it really fun? Is it fun being on the outskirts of God’s grace? Are you comfortable or happy living life your own way? How is it working out for you…doing it on your own? I know can you feel it. I know you can sense the distance, and I know it troubles you. You try to cast it out of your conscious thoughts, but in the dark night, in those frightening moments, in the times where you’re alone and you don’t know how you’re going to make it through some certain something in your life…you know He’s calling you. You know you’re missing Him. What’s holding you back?

I’m not judging you. Honestly, I’m not. I just want you to receive the abundant life of love and provision and grace and power and purpose that God has planned for you. He’s waiting on you. Please, stop procrastinating and honor Him for all He has already done and for all that He still wants to do. Stop fighting the only real, complete love that you will ever experience in this life. Not for me. Not even for you. Do it for Him…the One who endured such humiliation and pain and suffered an agonizing death on a cross for YOU. Do it for Him, knowing it pales in comparison to all He truly deserves.

No, we don’t have to earn our way into Heaven. We don’t have to go to church or perform certain rituals apart from repenting for our sins and confessing Christ as Lord to avoid hell. But when you truly love God, don’t you just WANT to love on Him and bless Him and live the way He asks you to? Don’t you know that the commandments He has set before us are not punishments nor blockades to freedom? They are protection to help us have the best lives we can possibly have! Don’t you know that He died and rose again to restore to us our value and to put into motion the process of making us whole again and placing us once more in that lush Garden of peace and lavish resources and constant relationship with Him…the One who burns with a white-hot love for us?

I don’t want to make you feel guilty and I’m not here to condemn anyone. I’m just begging you, please, please, please…get your life straight with God right now…today. For no man knows the day nor the hour when Christ will say, “I’ve waited long enough. Now is the time for my return.” And in the blink of an eye, our opportunity to do all we were put on this earth to do is over. And when you’re standing there all alone before the Lord on that last day, what will you hear Him say? Will He say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!” or will He have to turn you away because He never knew you? Please don’t wait another minute. He stands at the door to your heart and knocks. Open it up. Please. What have you got to lose?