May 18

Mark 13:32-37 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come....37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.

Observation

After describing the events of his second coming, Jesus addresses the question that the disciples seemed interested in getting answered (vs.4.) What day? What hour? When? We know what Jesus' answer to that was. But throughout this portion of his discourse, Jesus was pushing a different point: Stay awake! Four times in this passage, Jesus urged his servants to "stay awake." Of course non-believers could read this passage and take it as a warning to immediately surrender their lives to Jesus. But, Jesus seemed to make an even stronger point to believers. Jesus has left us in charge of his house. And he's commanding us to be on guard and stay awake as we manage the work he has given each of us.

Application

When I think about serving God and His people, I wondered how I could live out this passage and do His work in a meaningful and continuous way. Looking back in past instances of service, I found myself often discouraged or physically and mentally burned out while serving. I found that I could not keep serving just to fulfill an obligation. It can only happen as a natural outworking of a strong relationship with my Heavenly Father. And I think that's how Christ calls me to be on guard and keep awake while doing his work. By staying engaged with God and communing with Him. Only then can I do his work, fully prepared for the coming of the King.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that through an ever growing relationship with you, I can live my life and faithfully serve you, fully prepared for the day when Jesus returns. In Jesus name, Amen.

--sam w.