Monday, August 11, 2008

Meeting Deadlines

Have you ever had to meet a deadline? Most people have at one time or another. My family and I wanted to see the high tide on the Bay of Fundy. It was due at 11:30 am at the Tidal Bore near Truro. We had two hours to travel there from our hotel in Halifax. Going directly would have taken about forty minutes. Instead we decided to take the scenic route so that we could see more of the Bay of Fundy.

A star on the map indicated an attraction at Burncoat. When we couldn’t find it, we headed back toward the Tidal Bore. A short time later we took another detour on a road leading to the Bay. Getting out of the car we walked leisurely up and down the water’s edge and took a number of pictures. Not hurrying, we finally got back into the car. After a short drive we discovered a park with a deck protruding out into the Bay. Of course, we stopped to admire the view and to take more pictures. Because we took our time sightseeing, we arrived at the Tidal Bore five minutes too late.

This experience reminded me how easy it is to get distracted in this life from important spiritual realities. Once Jesus told a parable about a sower who went out to sow a field. Some seed fell on the path, but the birds ate it. Some fell on stony ground. It quickly withered and never took root. Some fell among thorns and thistles. It grew for a short time. Then choked by the weeds, it withered and died. Some fell on good ground, took root, and grew to produce fruit.

Do you feel like the seed that grew among the thorns and thistles? Are you easily distracted by the cares of this world? I hope you are not like us on our trip. We thought we had lots of time, but we became more interested in beautiful scenery than in keeping a deadline. We only missed the reversal of water at the Tidal Bore. It is much more serious to miss out on eternal salvation. Now is the day of salvation. When Jesus returns, it will be forever too late.

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