Getting ready to go

If you love others, you will never do them wrong; to love, then, is to obey the whole Law.

You must do this, because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed. The night is nearly over, day is almost here. Let us stop doing the things that belong to the dark, and let us take up weapons for fighting in the light. (verses 10-12)

Read Romans 13:8-14

There are few things in life as exciting as waking up early to embark on a holiday. The alarm goes off after a restless night’s sleep. Within minutes your whole house is a bustle of activity: family members getting showered and dressed, some final packing, a quick cuppa and some toast, and a final checklist before heading off for the airport through the quiet streets at dawn. An exciting day lies ahead.

When you first became a Christian, the alarm went off on a new day—an exciting journey now lies before you. It’s nearly time to go. So stop doing the things that belong to the dark—anything that would slow you down and deter you from your journey. With acts of love and kindness to others, prepare for God’s immanent salvation that grows nearer every day. Take up ‘weapons for fighting in the light’. Put on Christ as you await the coming of the best day ever!

Lord Jesus, let me not grow sleepy in well-doing, but alert me to acts of love and faithfulness with each passing hour. Amen.

by Simon Cooper, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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