Our ferry to Juneau
Our ferry to Juneau, Alaska was equipped with stabilizers. Although at times
we could see that the ocean was tumultuous, we didn't feel the waves at all. The
cabin we had reserved was far nicer than we had anticipated. It had four nice
cots, one of which could be changed into a sofa. It also had a sink and a
complete bathroom, including a much-anticipated shower. We slept like babies
that night, and we awoke to a pleasant surprise: we would be docking in Juneau
four hours early!
Can you imagine enjoying a ferry ride so much that getting in early would make
you mad?
"I paid for a 28.5 hours ride and you are short-changing me!"
"How so?"
"I am only allowed to stay on board for 24.5 hours! It is a scam!"
"But you paid for a ride to Juneau and we have arrived to our destination."
"I don't care about Juneau. All I care about is getting my money's worth! You
can't force me to leave before my time is up!"
Would this person be perceived as being reasonable? Would the other passengers
join in his cause, insisting on staying on board as well? Probably not. More
likely, he would be labelled a "raving lunatic", and the other passengers would
stay away from him!
This scenario is no different than Jesus' Second coming. Will we welcome Him
back with open arms or will we complain that He has returned too soon? How many
of us are enjoying this temporary ride on Earth so much that we have forgotten
our real destination?
Remember: "Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy
in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul." (1 Peter 2:11 The
Message); and "Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love
of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes
on in the world - wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting
to appear important - has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you
from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out -
but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity." (1 John 2:15-17 The
Message)
Reality is that when we arrive on this planet, we do so without luggage, and we
will leave this world without luggage as well. Why waste our time with worthless
frivolities that have no lasting value? "For we brought nothing into the world,
and we can take nothing out of it." (1 Tim 6:7 NIV)
May we learn to value the time we spend with our Savior. Our belongings can be
zapped away from us, our friends may fall away and our families may be
scattered, or worse, estranged, but Jesus' love will always be a reality! "May I
never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the
world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Gal 6:14 NIV)
Have we already arrived at our destination! Great! I am looking forward to
riding on crocodiles and romping with lions; but most importantly, I can't wait
to see my best friend Jesus, face to face! Will you join me?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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