Where Were You?
A few weeks ago, RJ and I were in line at 4:45 one Monday morning at Space Center Houston for the Artemis I launch watch party (yeah, we’re still waiting to watch that launch, but that’s a story for another day). You know I’ve been a space nerd since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and the launch of another lunar mission is beyond exciting. Plus, the Space Center promised a “goodie bag” full of souvenirs if you were there early (and I wasn’t a bit disappointed in my haul). While the launch was scrubbed that morning, I still had a great time with my son—as members of the Space Center, we received a very nice breakfast (that means they had chocolate); we were able to visit several fascinating displays; I got to see a new exhibit I had been wanting to see; and there was great excitement in the air.
But L.A. Fitness opens at 5:00, and Monday through Friday, I’m swimming by 5:10 at the latest. The morning following the scrubbed Artemis launch, as I’m waiting in line for the gym doors to open, a lady who swims at the same time as I do said, “Justin, where were you yesterday?” Aruba doesn’t even know my last name, but she knew if I weren’t swimming at 5:00 am, something unusual was going on.
What if we were so regular in our service to God that someone automatically missed us if we weren’t in our seat Sunday morning and Wednesday night? What if we were so regular in our giving that checkbook became confused if we didn’t give? What if we were so regular in prayer that God wondered where we were if we skipped a prayer? What if we were so regular in our Bible reading that the Book missed us when we were absent? What if we were so regular in kindness that people became confused if we were the slightest bit grouchy?
Sure, I used some poetic license in the previous paragraph, but I trust you get the point. We must be regular in our service to God: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk 9:62). Yes, I’m known for my exercise routine (I recently found out my nickname at the gym is merman), and I know there are things people recognize about you.
On the Day of Judgment, it won’t matter one whit how much I swim of a morning or cycle of an afternoon; it will matter how regular and faithful I’ve been to my God. On the Day of Judgment, it won’t matter one whit what hobbies you have or how well you keep the house or what position you held in the company or how well the Aggies or Wildcats did in the game; it will matter how regular and faithful you’ve been to your God.
How regular and faithful are you to your God?
This article was originally written by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., for the weekly newsletter at Church of Christ Deer Park in Deer Park, Texas.