Waitin' On The Bus

I remember as a child going to New Albany to stay with my grandparents for a few weeks.  On some of those occasions my older brother and sister and I would take the 5-hour bus ride...all by ourselves.  Obviously things have changed today so don't try that with your kids.  I remember getting ready for the trip.  Mom would have everything packed in our suitcases and we would be taken to Tatum's Grocery Store.  Tatum's was kind of your jack-of-all-trades store.  I mean they had some of everything, which included being our town's bus station.  There was an old wooden bench out front on which we would sit waiting for the Gulf Transport bus.  In anticipation we waited for the big bus to arrive.  We were packed, ready, and waiting!  When that bus could first be seen coming down the highway it was incredible!  We were about to leave!

Years later as an adult I still get that way when preparing for a trip.  I have traveled to the great nation of India many times.  I usually get out my suitcase about a month before leaving just to feel like I'm getting ready.  I will actually buy supplies for the trip and have them packed a few weeks before I leave.  Then as I can, I begin folding and packing clothes I won't need to wear here and pack them for there.  The truth is...I could wait until a day or two before departure to pack but I don't.  Why?  Because the excitement of the travel and ministry in India is so exciting to me, and I just want to be ready when the time comes!  I do many things to prepare for the trip.  Of course I pray and study up on God's Word.  But weeks before, I begin preparing any way I can.  Listen to this.  The preparation part actually becomes part of the journey!  That stretches it out for me!  That's just me!  Perhaps you are the same way.

Sometimes I have to take a step back and look at my life as a follower of Christ.  Sometimes I notice that my life is not being lived in full preparation for His return, and for the quick journey that takes me fully into His presence forever.  Sometimes I discover that my life is being lived as if I plan to live here forever.  Does that ever happen to you?  I thank God that He has a way of bringing my focus back to the right stuff!  The book of the Revelation tells us that He will return soon for His bride (the church) who has made herself ready.  Jesus tells us over and over to "Be on the alert."  He said many times "Be ready".  The signs of the time (as I see it) are like seeing that big Gulf Transport bus coming down the highway.  The signs are telling us that His coming is very, very near.  I want to live my life not just focused on living for Him...but living with Him forever after we make that journey to His eternal realm.  What about you?

This Christmas Go Beyond Yourself - by giving a gift to someone less fortunate. Help HCM help children in Honduras with a special Christmas gift. For more information visit Harvest Celebration Ministries at www.harvcel.com or simply click on the picture above. Thanks!