by Charles Robey
(Trussville. AL USA)
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16)
I'm sure glad our book store will be closed this weekend for inventory, for I surely need the extra rest. I'm just burnt out, and I have five years to go till retirement. So, I think I'll just retire to bed a little early tonight. I had no more hit the sack, so to speak, till it all happened. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
I found myself in a rather large book store. Looking around the store, my eye happened to catch a rather weird sight. A large grouping of individuals were earnestly browsing through the calendar section of the store. There were people of all ages and dress styles with some obviously of a variety of financial salability.
What was so unusual about this picture was that the group of people standing in front of the calendars all had a certain advanced date printed on their shirts. And they seemed to be seriously in search of a calendar whose contents matched the dates on their shirts.
Then to add to the mystery of this setting, one of the individuals, who seemed to be the leader of the group, broke from the scene. Walking over to me, he instantly began a conversation as if he had known me forever. What was more mysterious about this one man was that the date inscription on his shirt had no year, only a big question mark.
"Sir, who are you, and what's this all about? And what's with the question mark, replacing a particular year on your shirt inscription?" I said, reacting to his presence.
"Well, my son, as you probably have noticed, all these people are searching for a certain calendar date matching the date on their shirt, as if to find out about their final date."
"But Sir, no one knows that answer, aside from our Creator", I replied.
"You are absolutely right, my son. But doesn't the Scripture teach us to number our days, to make our plans wisely?” he came back with a quick response. (Psalm 90:12).
Without any hesitation and without wavering, he went right into his sermon mode. "You see, my son, we all should be taught to wisely number our days. We should all be prepared. In other words, we should not just waste time waiting to see what our days will bring. We should prepare for any given situation to happen."
"But how can I do that?" I replied. "I don't really have a say in the matter."
"Simply by prayer. Pray for your future days. Pray that you will be given the strength to handle the bad, as well as the good days, that are ahead," he replied.
"But sir, you obviously know I can't physically determine what will happen," I argued.
"It doesn't matter what may happen. You simply commit your future to God to bring about what is good. Then, whatever may come, trust your heavenly Father. Leave it all in His hands by prayer. And above all, be prepared by your dedicated prayer and supplication. Give your heavenly Father a chance to turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones," he answered.(1Cor 10:13)
"What about all those poor people milling over by the calendars?"
"Don't you worry, they will also get the message, as did you. It may take a little soul searching as they mill through all those calendars. But by divine help, it will all work out for them. You can count on it," he concluded."Well then, thank you for your help, whomever you may be.” However, my thanks failed to take hold, as he was gone. Disappeared
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