August 14, 2008
An
Unmade Bed
I
got up and started to make the bed. I looked at the sheets and blankets and
thought "Why bother? I'm just going to get into it later anyway." Then
I remembered how much better it feels to crawl into a freshly made bed than one
that is all disheveled and unmade. It's worth the bother.
I
looked at the mound of laundry and thought of the unending cycle of taking
clothes to the washer, sorting them, washing them, drying them, folding them and
putting them away. I thought, "Why bother? They are just going to get dirty
again anyway." Then I remembered how good it feels to have clean and fresh
clothes. It's worth the bother.
I
told Beth that I love her. For a moment beforehand I thought "Why bother?
She already knows." Of course she knows but it's still nice to hear the
words from someone who loves you.
People
asked "Why bother to take anointing oil, crosses, pens, pencils and gifts
to the Philippines". Why bother to take Christmas cards to the jail inmates
and stamped envelopes. We bother
because to touch a few with a gift and blessing is better than to bring and give
nothing.
There
are lots of things in life that we could ask, "Why bother?" about.
There is usually an excellent reason to be bothered with them.
Sometimes
we walk around with un-confessed sin and think "Why bother to take it to
God? I'm just going to have to go to Him again later with more sins." Then
we remembered how close to Him we feel with a clean heart and the marvelous
sense of freedom that it brings. That close relationship with God is a precious
commodity. It has value beyond measure.
Most
statistics I have seen show that perhaps 1 in 10 people are true "born
again" Christians. Many of that small number are strained in their
relationship with God for various reasons. If we're very generous and assume
that 1 in 2 born again Christians is
walking closely with God, that bring us down to only one out of every twenty
people knows that freedom.
The
relationship with Jesus is the most valuable thing there is. Jesus understood
that and communicated it through some of His parables.
"The
kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he
hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that
field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and
bought it."
Matthew 13:44-46 NIV
Why
bother? The freedom is worth it. Why bother? Jesus is worthy of our efforts. Why
bother? Jesus told us to.
Until
next time, take the opportunity to "bother" and be blessed for your
efforts and let people know God bothered to love them and give and so did you.
Darrel
Mason