Over the holidays we left our dog Tonka at home alone while we were visiting family. We were gone over night so some close friends of ours agreed to stop by to give him his bathroom breaks. However, a family emergency called our friends away and they were unable to swing by our house and let Tonka out. They promptly notified us of the situation but we were miles away having Christmas with my wife’s family. By the time I got to the house it was several hours past Tonka’s bathroom time and I was dreading what surprises I would find as I walked inside. Little did I expect for Tonka to be patiently waiting on me to let him outside. As he trotted out the door, God helped me to understand why Tonka had not had any accidents: he knew he was not supposed to go to the bathroom in the house and he trusted that I would return to let him outside. He was obediently waiting on the master to return.
As a Christian I am awaiting the return of my master, Jesus Christ. Here on earth His Spirit lives within me and I am able to praise, worship and communicate with my Savior. However some days I ache to see Him, so that I can look into His loving eyes and thank Him face-to-face for what He has done for me. One day I will get the opportunity to do so, but until then I must wait. I know He is coming back and I want nothing more than to glorify His name. To do so I must be obedient to His word and be diligent in going about His business.
My salvation is not conditional upon my works. As my Co-Sunday School teacher has told our class many times, “It is Jesus plus nothing, minus nothing.” I am saved by His grace alone through faith. However, it is my responsibility to be obedient to God’s commands and calling for my life. I have the free will to choose to go about the Father’s business or my own. All too often I follow what seems right unto me only to have my works burned up in the fire (Prov. 14:12, 1Cor. 3:14-15). It is only when I am following closely after Him, allowing the Spirit to be my guide that I am able to be obediently waiting on the Master.
Are you living your life so that you are obediently waiting on the Master’s return? Or are you going your own way?
Pray
Good Master, I thank You today for Your great salvation, without it I would still be lost. Forgive me for acting at times like I am the master and doing things my way. Help me today to be obedient to Your words and Your direction for my life. I eagerly await Your return and I pray that my works may bring glory unto You! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
