John 10:27 (NIV)
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow
me.
By the time the fire department arrived, flames were
leaping high into the air from the burning house.
That's when a young man appeared at an upper window in
his pajamas. The firemen encouraged him to climb down the ladder that was
placed against the house for his assistance.
To their amazement, he yelled down that he had to get
dressed first.
The firemen shouted, "Come as you are!"
No one knows why the man did what he did, but they do
know he refused the help being offered. He refused and his negative response
led to his unfortunate and unnecessary death.
This young man is representative of a great many people
-- people who have managed to get their priorities way out of line.
They eagerly pursue all kinds of things unimportant and
do so at the cost of that which is truly essential.
Jobs push aside families. Attaining money takes
precedence over friends. Watching television or playing sports precludes time
spent with children and spouses.
In contrast to our questionable priorities, our loving
Lord made saving us His primary and principal imperative. Rejection by those
whom He had come to save, betrayal by a disciple, crucifixion on a cross - all
these did not make Him lose sight of His goal.
Now, there's no way that sinful human beings can live
with the same kind of faithfulness as did the Son of God. Still, if we're going
to escape the fires of this life (and the next), we need to let the Lord keep
our priorities in order.
That means, when our Lord says, "Come as you
are!" We don't debate, argue, or hesitate. We heed His call, and we follow
Him.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your commitment, Your
faithfulness, and Your dedication to save us. Bring our priorities into line
with Yours. Help us to pursue that which is truly important. In Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
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