Now is the Time

The presenter at the Parent Magazine Art Awards ceremony, called Asherel up to accept the accolades for her Grand Prize win. Asherel would frankly have preferred to stay home, but knew it was important to be tormented through the public acknowledgement of her achievement. She had submitted answers to a list of questions that might be asked of her. Now as she stood before the packed room, she was indeed asked several questions. Most of them, however, were not from the list. She did well, in front of a room of strangers, and I credit her third year of Gavel Club (Toastmasters) in teaching her poise in front of audiences. I especially loved her answer to this question:
"Tell me," said the magazine editor, "I am not an artist and I have always wondered how an artist knows when a picture is done. How do you know when to stop?"
OOOh, I thought, that is a good question! As an artist myself, many ideas popped into my head. I couldn't wait to hear what Asherel would say.
She paused, considering her response, and then said, "When the deadline arrives."

In Sunday school class, we were discussing Jesus' second coming, the rapture, and the day of judgement, both for those who accept and those who reject God. It is described as coming in a "twinkling of an eye", no warning of the moment. It will happen in a flash, before we can blink, and we will be called to account before the God of all creation. There will be no time for excuses, rationalizations, or even last chance decisions. The time for action will be over. The deadline will have passed.

I am not a last minute person. Never have been. I have always believed one should finish one's work before play and do what needs doing when it needs doing. I get very stressed if I bump up close to a deadline. I know I am a little far to the extreme, but I have never been a procrastinator. I can see how my attitude can be rough on those who prefer to bump up against deadlines. But I do believe that on this issue, no one should wait. Now is the time to believe. Ask God for belief. As one who has been there, I know He answers that prayer. If God is who He says He is, in a twinkling of an eye, I will be very saddened by those who chose to ignore Him thinking they had all the time in the world to finish what they were doing.

John 16: 22-31
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father." Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God." "Do you now believe?" Jesus replied.


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