You also be ready… —Luke 12:40
A Christian worker’s greatest need is a readiness to face Jesus Christ at any and every turn. This is not easy, no matter what our experience has been. This battle is not against sin, difficulties, or circumstances, but against being so absorbed in our service to Jesus Christ that we are not ready to face Jesus Himself at every turn. The greatest need is not facing our beliefs or doctrines, or even facing the question of whether or not we are of any use to Him, but the need is to face Him.
Jesus rarely comes where we expect Him; He appears where we least expect Him, and always in the most illogical situations. The only way a servant can remain true to God is to be ready for the Lord’s surprise visits. This readiness will not be brought about by service, but through intense spiritual reality, expecting Jesus Christ at every turn. This sense of expectation will give our life the attitude of childlike wonder He wants it to have. If we are going to be ready for Jesus Christ, we have to stop being religious. In other words, we must stop using religion as if it were some kind of a lofty lifestyle— we must be spiritually real.
If you are avoiding the call of the religious thinking of today’s world, and instead are “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2), setting your heart on what He wants, and thinking His thoughts, you will be considered impractical and a daydreamer. But when He suddenly appears in the work of the heat of the day, you will be the only one who is ready. You should trust no one, and even ignore the finest saint on earth if he blocks your sight of Jesus Christ.
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Journal DJR
Good morning Lord,
Oswald Chambers seems to use different words to describe the same thing we have been learning. A Christian’s biggest need is to be ready to face you, he says. We have learned that our greatest need is to stay connected. (and surrendered and curious and excited about the adventure that you are bringing about in our lives) Are we saying the same thing?
His term “facing Jesus” may seem redundant if you are “connected” But it bears some consideration. If you are facing me, it’s more like we are having a serious discussion. Beware of being connected but leaving me in the background. Of course strive to maintain connection but plan on stopping and facing me from time to time in your day. That will entail stopping the hustle bustle activity for a bit and focusing on just you and me. After you get used to it, you will find those times sweet and energizing.
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