When I was a rather new Christian, I attended Christian Training Center in Ft. Wayne. The classes went from 8AM-12 Noon Monday-Friday. I worked in the afternoons at various ministries of the church, so school tied me up 8 hours a day. I also had responsibilities with the youth group I was leading at my church and worked 6 hours every night in a factory assembling hydraulic pumps on third shift.
Needless to say, I was often a zombie between responsibilities. I remember early one morning I arrived home from work, took a shower and laid down for a quick nap before leaving for school. I awoke to my alarm clock blaring at me. I had slept a half hour too long and that alarm was just now waking me. I rushed around, drove like a NASCAR driver all the way to the school in downtown Ft. Wayne.
When I pulled into the parking lot, however, it was empty. I was confused. I checked my watch, and it was on the right time. I tried to recall if this was a holiday; no. Then it dawned on me: this was Saturday! I could be sleeping in. What a bummer.
Paul advised the church in Rome to be careful about esteeming one day above another (Romans 14:5). And sometimes it would be better to observe that rule. Its always better when God picks the day or the hour He wants to accomplish something in our lives. Let’s let Him control the times in our lives.
Tags: late, time
The driver of the hearse foolishly tried to warm himself on a rainy Saturday morning by drinking on the job. He didn’t get warm, but he did get lost on the way to the cemetery. The funeral procession waited in vain at the grave for hours. Later that evening, police found the driver asleep in the hearse by the side of the road. By then it was too late for burial, and the cemetery wouldn’t accept the casket on Sunday.
On Monday, the local newspaper reported tha the body of the 62-year old man “was finally laid to rest – 2 days late for his final appointment.”
Actually, his final appointment was kept right on time. His tardy burial in no way altered the fact that his conscious soul had passed into eternity precisely at God’s appointed time.
We learn two lessons from the story. #1 That hearse driver probably has another job today. #2 We’d better stay ready because we will not be late for our final appointment with God.
Tags: appointment, funeral, late, time