Where Do You Want To Be?
Denver Thomas
The individual who chooses to live in a pasteboard box in Riverfront Park has it as good as he wants it. He exhibits no motivation to search for anything better. He has no aspirations. He has found his niche in life and just doesn’t want to be bothered; but, just think, what would our society be like if everyone were content just to live his/her entire life in a box? Where would we find the doctors, the nurses, the schoolteachers, the engineers, the lawyers, the scientists, Bible teachers, and all others who aspire for bigger and better things in life? In essence, where would we find those who seek to make living worthwhile for themselves and others?
From time to time, I hear a preacher refer to “our comfort zone,” a phrase that I consider a parallel to living in a box. There are those individuals who seemingly are quite content with where they are in their supposed Christian life. They behave as if they have “already arrived!” They demonstrate no propensity for growth. Oh, they may utter an occasional wish or hint, but their lack of action belies their words. They just seem to like things the way they are. Meeting one, two, or possibly three times a week seems to characterize the extent of their dedication to the Lord’s work.
When the writer of Hebrews (6:1) said, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection …” surely he meant that Christian people are expected or even commanded to strive for growth, i.e. to mature spiritually. Perfection in this setting can well be interpreted as maturity. Peter, in 1 Peter 2:2, wrote, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby …” When we read and study the Word (2 Timothy 2:15), we learn what is commanded of us, and it behooves us to be obedient. We will never be able to accomplish His Will for us in this life while sitting idly in a box.
Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” There is work to do! We sing the songs, To The Work and Work For the Night is Coming, but do we heed the words?
Jesus is coming back for His Church (John 14:1-4, 1 Timothy 4:17, et al.) and not for boxes! Where do you want to be? Better yet, where will you be? It may very well be that some will be as Jesus described in Matthew 7:22-23, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Or as He taught in Luke 13:24-28, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.” -PO Box 821, Milton, WV 25541-0821. DleeT@aol.com