Monday Motivation: Is Your Bag Ready?
Posted by AndreaChristmas preparation is well underway here at the Thorpe household. This past weekend, we completed our shopping for the girls, selected our Christmas tree, pulled out the Christmas trimmings, and started to decorate. We also made a major grocery shopping trip in order to replenish the grocery stockpile I like to maintain and to ensure I have all that I need to prepare Christmas dinner.
Because the weekend was so packed and because today’s schedule is just as full, I had very little time to write. Consequently, this week’s Monday Motivation is a repeat of a post I wrote in the early part of the year. Since most of my readers weren’t along for the ride back then, I reprinted it today and added a prayer and a question for you to consider. This is one of my favorite posts and I hope you’ll enjoy reading (or rereading) it as well!
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“Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Revelation 16:15)
Earlier this week, I was standing in the grocery checkout line behind a pregnant woman who was chatting on her cell phone. She was telling a friend how excited she was about her upcoming birthing classes. As she talked, my mind wandered back to our first pregnancy and our birthing classes.
For 6 weeks, JT and I joined other expectant couples and learned what to expect in the final weeks and days leading up to delivery. As our class neared its end, our instructor encouraged all mothers to prepare a labor and delivery bag, full of the things we would need to make the hospital stay more comfortable. The instructor warned us not to wait until the last minute to pack the bag, since labor could commence at any time. As soon as I returned home from that final class, my packing began. Like a squirrel hoarding nuts, I hastily dashed around the house filling my bag with calming lotions, personal toiletries, warm socks, comfortable clothes, nursing pads, soothing lip balm, hard candy, and the many other things a pregnant woman needs. I wasted no time packing because I did not want to be caught unprepared when labor began. Everything was in the bag!
That day, as I scurried about filling my hospital bag, I thought about what people might be doing the day Jesus returns. The Savior will find that some already have their spiritual bags packed and thus are ready to go with Him. Sadly, He will also find those who are woefully unprepared with empty spiritual bags and therefore will be left behind. Revelation 16:15 informs us that Christ will return quickly and advises us to be ready for His return.
If your bag is not ready, it’s not too late to start packing. Fill your spiritual bag with admission, repentance, confession, and belief. Admit that you are a sinner, ask God to forgive you of your sins, confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave. Once your bag is packed, you can rest assured that you are prepared for your eternal stay with Jesus Christ. Remember, whether our bags are packed or not, Jesus will return. Is your bag ready?
Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for giving us Jesus Christ, the greatest gift we could ever have! Thank you for gift of salvation He has offered to each and every one of us! Please forgive us of our sins and help us not to commit those offenses again. Help us to accept this wonderful gift of salvation You have offered and help us to always cherish and recognize the value of our salvation. As we enter the Christmas season and prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, help us to slow down, remember what this holiday is really about, and celebrate in a way that sincerely honors You. Amen.
Food For Thought:
Have you confessed your sins and accepted Christ into your heart? If not, what is stopping you from doing so?
Photo: Courtesy of sushikat (Flickr)
Tags: Christ's return, Monday Motivation, Revelation
pondering the deliverance which Christ purchased for me is always so quieting to me. the peace that He gives, the freedom to do what is good and profitable–these are unfathomable treasures. is still love contemplating their vastness.
It’s hard not to become quiet when we think of what God has done for us through His son Jesus! Unfathomable…what a great word to describe the treasure he’s given us!
Thanks again for stopping by! I always look forward to “seeing” you!
Great post! I love that bag!!
I love the prayer and I need to slow down in some areas of my life and stop and smell the roses so to speak. Thank you for this post and have a blessed day.
BJ, I love that bag too! Too bad it’s not mine! I’m glad you enjoyed the prayer. I need to slow down myself and I’m praying that prayer right along with you! May your day be wonderful as well! Thank you for visiting.
I am glad you have Christmas under way! That is a great post….worth repeating.
What a lovely post. Your transition was thought provoking. You always put everything in perspective. I love your prayers and reflections. You are such a blessing.
Kathy, thank you for the encouragement! I’m glad you’re enjoying what you read. I’m thrilled that our paths crossed in the blogosphere and your blog blesses me as well!