Watch

It was Friday in a popular vacation spot. We were having dinner with friends. We'd waited 40 minutes for the table and our waitress served too many tables.  The youngest member of our party was a toddler. It was getting late and she was hungry.  She was becoming impatient.  Her mother was a wise woman and told her "Look at that door.   Watch for our waitress.  She will bring our food from that door."

The little girl "stood watch" over that door. She was not distracted from watching the door.   She expected our waitress with a tray of food to appear at any moment.  And she made sure her mom watched with her.  Her eyes only left the door to see if mom was also watching.  If mom's eyes had strayed she reminded her to watch.

She made me think.  Do I watch for Jesus to come, to deliver, to meet my needs?  Do I show others how to watch?  Do I encourage others to keep steadfast in their watch?  And when Jesus comes do I rejoice like my young friend when the food arrived (finally!)?

In the first chapter of first Thessalonians, Paul commends the Thessalonians for welcoming The Message and becoming a model to other believers.  They spread God's message, lived their faith in God, turned from idols and waited for Jesus to come rescue them from the coming wrath.

w elcome the message

a s an example to others

t urn from distractions

c oncentrate on Jesus

H e will come!