Indebted

As I saw the date I had just written, I thought of the disappointed little group 169 years ago... Of course at this time of day they were still waiting with eager anticipation (they loved Him with all their hearts) for the appearing of their precious Lord. But oh, the disappointment when He did not return. Their hopes were dashed. Had He forgotten, had He forsaken them? No! Indeed, He was performing a great work for them at that very moment, presenting His blood for the Day of Atonement then begun, making it possible for them to be one with Him.

And then my thoughts turn to my own life... I'm grateful for the time I've been given on this earth. Had He already come, I would never have been born. Yet some probing questions come to my mind, demanding answers. Am I truly seeking His honour? Or merely my own supposed greatness? Is Jesus truly my all, the One I live for? Is He Heaven to me? Or would I be happy to just go there without Him?

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

 Heb 11:39- 12:4

Sadly, it's the truth. I have not "resisted unto blood". Instead I have loved sin! I am not worthy of the honour of running in this Race, of taking the baton from the faithful who have gone before. Yet why am I here on this earth at this point in time?

As Ministry of Healing puts it: "By all that has given us advantage over another,—be it education and refinement, nobility of character, Christian training, religious experience,—we are in debt to those less favoured; and, so far as lies in our power, we are to minister unto them. If we are strong, we are to stay up the hands of the weak."

I am indebted to this "great cloud of witnesses" who have run ahead. I am indebted to the world. And most of all, I am indebted to my Saviour and King.

Oh may I prove faithful!