Oct – 24 – DO NOT BE LATE!

“…redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).

There is an old saying in Tamil which says that the time is like an eye and the duty is like gold. Many people do not realise the importance of time and shed tears after putting it to waste. Some people make it a habit to come late to everything. May it be office or church, they attend late and as a result, what they attain is defeat alone.

Only after it becomes too late, they realise their short-coming and shed tears. When you do things, each at its most appropriate time, things will bring great blessings and joy to you.

Napoleon Bonaparte, an emperor of France, showed great interest in doing things in time. He was always punctual. But his commanders were not as they did not take punctuality seriously.

One day Napoleon arranged a big feast to his warriors and invited all of them to it with love. As usual, they came late and even before their late arrival, Napoleon quickly had finished taking food alone. The commanders came late one by one and Napoleon told them, “My dear commanders, the time to dine has passed by and the time to do our duty has begun. Let us not waste a minute. Let us rush to the battle-field.” Saying this, he got ready to take his commanders to the battle-field.

The stunned commanders were neither able to disobey their leader’s command nor able to get back and with all hunger, they departed to the battle-field. That day, they learnt a lesson. After that incident, they would not have been late to any commitment. The foolish virgins came late and the bridegroom arrived before their arrival. The doors were closed and the only reply that received was ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ What a pity! However you cry, the flood that has crossed the dam will never come back to the dam and in the same way, no weeping could bring back the lost opportunity.

Look at Isa. He wasted time. The Scripture says, “For you know that afterwards when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears” (Hebrews 12:17). The lamb is inviting you to the wedding feast. The Scripture says that those who are called for the marriage supper of the lamb are blessed (Revelation 19:9).

Dear children of God, Will you come at the right time? Or are you going to be late?

To meditate: “The harvest is past the summer is ended and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).