December 5, 1993 - 5:10a.m.
Jesus speaks: I come, you wait, you are filled.
R. It seems so long since I talked to You, My Lord.
Jesus speaks: Time is so short-here today, gone tomorrow-and your reward awaits you. What glory awaits him who serves the Lord and his life is over? Where will you go on that day of reckoning? How is the state of your soul? Did you spend your life in search of a kingdom, never to find one but an idle pursuit, looking here and there for a kingdom, but never finding what you sought? The kingdom you seek is not of this world. Your life is not its own reward. Your life is being spent for the reward to follow. This life is not the reward in itself. This life is only the batting of an eye, the dropping of a pin, and the life hereafter is at hand. Where are you going, My little one? Did you spend your life in such idle pursuits, only to find that your search was in vain? Your life was empty and now what do you have to show for how you lived? Is all that mattered up like smoke in your face and you say, "Is that all there is?"
And what did you do with your little life here? When I paraded in front of you, you knew there was more to your life but you closed your eyes and told yourself, "Nay, I live for the likes of this world. Crazy are those who speak of a life hereafter." You heard, you were made aware, you had opportunities, you laughed, you sneered, you ran amok and told yourself you were all that mattered. This life was your end. You were going to have it all right here-one, glorious, true life. You were in pursuit of the treasure found in your house, at your job, in your children, in your pocket. You blinded yourself to any other possibility and continued on your willful little way. You were sought after by Him. You were probed, you were pursued, you were shown the light. I loved you your whole life. I followed you and opened My heart to you and you closed yours and spit in My face and you walked away. You walked over your brothers and you hardened your little hearts.
You pursued idle pursuits and you ran around with a worldly-focused gaze. Tunnel vision. You knew you were not in a tunnel. You knew from My pursuit of you that there was much more but you closed yourself off and went full steam ahead down the wrong road. You did not see the birds of the air or the children at play. You saw a world to be gained and a goal to be achieved. You sought an empty treasure in a barren field and when I stopped at each crossing and said, "Oh, that you would come and follow Me," you ignored My prompting and proceeded like a blind dog down the same path toward the barren field. And your heart lacked joy and it became harder and harder as you trod, but at each crossing you say, "Nay, Lord, I will find My reward here and be off."
Oh, you silly fool! To live your life for such emptiness. The only life that is is in Me. You never die. This is but a test. This is a test for you to receive a real reward. I have prodded you and tried to lead you toward Me but you spit in My face and went your willful way. Oh, little ones, eternity is so long. It doesn't end today or tomorrow. It goes on and on and on and never ends. This is a test to see how you will fare in the end. To put all your treasures in this life is to store up nothing. You take not one dime with you. All that remains is the things of the heart, your love of God and your love for your fellow man.
To follow God is to find the real reward, a field brimming with milk and honey. And you will behold the face of God! This and this alone feeds your hungry soul. All else leads the soul to barren lands. Store up a treasure of gold for the life hereafter. When you come to that crossing remove the blinders from your eyes and look at your beloved Jesus, staring right into your heart. Take the hard crust from your chest and let your heart become alive in His love. Do not pursue idle pursuits. Go down the road that leads to Jesus and at the end you will see His face! His road is well marked all through your life. Your sisters and brothers who loved Him looked into your eyes, but you wore blinders and laughed at them.
Oh, silly! A few years? For what? You don't get anything here but heartache, momentary pleasure that leaves you empty, so you numb your hearts with TV or alcohol or food or sex. It lasts only a moment, but you numb the craving in the soul. Oh, poor starved little ones, your soul can only be fed by Me. You are starving yourself to death. Your soul is withering and dying. Your victory is already won by Me Who died a brutal death for love of you! Come to Me. I knock at the door. Will you open or will you run amok down roads that lead to emptiness. On that day of reckoning when I, in all My pursuits of your soul and My saddened heart, finally have to turn you away and say, "I do not know you. I pursued you your whole life. I stood by your side. I walked by you the whole way and you never turned your head. You looked for your glory here and I waited and waited. I sent others to show you the way to the golden reward but you laughed and continued in your willfulness to the barren desert."
Oh, child, I love you. Many have prayed and sacrificed for you but you would not turn your hearts to Me. I am the way, the truth and the life. All other roads lead to destruction of the soul. My ways are not easy, but they are filled with peace, love and joy. My ways are everlasting. Your soul craves this union with Me. You are fighting off that which your soul thirsts after. It doesn't feel good, but you close your eyes and numb your craving. Oh, turn to Me and find rest, My little ones, now before it is too late! I am as close as your breath.
Copyright © 1994 Shepherds of Christ.