I stayed away from the malls the first couple of days after Christmas. Those are the “return days” for all those gifts that were the wrong size, the wrong color, or simply wrong for the recipient. People with returns tried to get their quickly lest the size or shape or model they needed was gone. Someone who ventured there told me they were disappointed that there were no great After Christmas Sales. No, that was saved for the weekend after Christmas and people planned their trips so they could buy at 70% off what they probably didn’t really need and in this case the stores would not allow them to return in January. In our consumer savvy and consumer-driven world, the next sale or the “window for returns” is a major event consuming precious time, requiring some major strategizing … and timing is everything.

“The laceType>kingdomlaceType> of laceName>GodlaceName> is near!” These are the first recorded words of Jesus’ public ministry. They are essentially the message, the motivation, and the method of evangelism. We proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom and its imminent arrival. Our motivation here is timing. It is now “finally” available to men. We call people to repent (turn from) of their old life of the Bad News and to believe that by breaking sin’s power, God has made possible “finally” peace with Him through Christ. The most important event in history is followed by the most important decision of our lives an now is the time, the kingdom is near.

But many, far too many, are paying little attention and receiving.. Many, far too many, are without any sense of urgency for proclaiming the Good News either. People tend to make the temporary urgent (After Christmas sales) and the eternal optional (or at least deferrable until a more convenient time.) We will rush to act upon a 12 hour sale for goods which will grow obsolete and wear out, but we have all the time in the world to resolve our sin issues. As a result many of us miss the abundant and eternal life of the kingdom of God because we are too consumed with the kingdom that will soon pass away.

Timing is everything. Now is the time.

This e-mail devotional THRIVING IN CHRIST is published on behalf of the Church of Godlace of Landisville PA and its friends. © 2008 by Stephen Dunn.