40 Days of Embracing Uncertainty - Day 30 (for Tuesday, March 31)

It’s as though there are two very different ideas floating around in this days’ devotion.  Yes, they come from the same story-line.  Like cats and dogs, in a way, each one sees the story of life a bit differently. 

I can say that today because we welcomed an addition to our family – a dog named Maisy.  She is a small dog – smallest I’ve ever seen.  As a Shih Tzu, Maisy has already shown me that she has a different perspective than Ruby, the long-standing cat who has ruled in this household for nearly three years now. 

Her time is over.  At least, that’s how I see it.  Maisy is like a cat repellent for me.  If I hold Maisy, the cat leaves me alone.  She even hisses at me.  She wants nothing to do with me.  Finally, the cat gets it, I think to myself.  It only took a small little dog to get there.  I guess we should have done this years ago – almost three years, to be exact.

But back to the story.  Mark’s gospel tells the story in a Reader’s Digest type fashion – it’s short and to the point.  Read it quickly here:

 

“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.  Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Now that version of the story doesn’t delve into the story of the three servants who are in charge (both Matthew and Luke relate that story with those dynamics being told in more depth).  Of course, there is something to those particular interpretations of the story – invest wisely, don’t squander what you’ve been given, help build the kingdom.  Nothing wrong with these story-lines at all.  But I like Mark’s story, not because it is short and to the point, but because it’s focus relates to our exact situation today.

We are in an unparalleled situation in our lives right now.  Many of us have never seen such a thing, much less experienced it like we are experiencing it now.  Mark’s message is one of being prepared – you just don’t know when or what is coming.  Be prepared.  Be ready.  Watch for the master to return.  That is a powerful message!  There is nothing wrong with building the kingdom by investing wisely, but there is also nothing wrong with preparing our hearts and minds for Jesus to come again.  Like Mark said, “You do not know when that time will come”. 

Ruby expects life to come to her on her own terms.  She’s a typical cat.  She’s independent.  Maisy is different.  She’s a dog.  She looks up at you and her eyes tell you that she needs you to help her get through life.  I believe that’s how we are looking at God right now… we are looking to God and we need God to help us get through this chaotic part of life.  Every one os us needs God – right now! 

So, we need to watch.  We need to wait.  We need to be on guard.  We need to be alert.

We need to be ready!