Left Behind

Today’s scripture: Luke 21:34-38 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (Melody Merida):

You may have heard this story about a moment of panic that took place when I was a child — but it fits so well with this scripture that I’m telling it again.

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon when I was around twelve years old, I was out in our neighborhood playing with some friends, as I often did. After being outside for a couple of hours, I decided to head home to check in with my mom. When I arrived home on my bike, I found the front door open, with only the screen door closed. The television was on in the family room (this was back in the day when a family only had one tv), but no one was home.

I began to walk around the house shouting the names of my family members, but there was no answer. After only a few moments I began to sob uncontrollably as I ran through the house looking for someone, anyone in my family — even my brother’s presence would have been welcome!

In an instant I knew what had happened. I just knew that Jesus had come back to earth and had taken my family and all other Christians to heaven with Him. This was surely the rapture! Finally, I fell to my knees and lifted my eyes to the ceiling. With a desperation I’d never before experienced I begged Jesus to come back and take me too, to save me. I didn’t want to go to hell! I begged to go to heaven with my family. I pleaded and pleaded.

Suddenly, in the midst of that desperate plea, I heard the screen door open and then close. I ran to see who may be coming into our home and, to my relief, it was my mother! Throwing my arms around her I sobbed tears of joy because I knew that I had made a terrible mistake. Jesus hadn’t come back after all!

When I settled down and explained my tears to my mother, she told me that she had only gone to the neighbor’s house for just a few minutes, that my father had gone to work, and that all my siblings were out with friends. Ah, such sweet relief! Everything was just fine after all.

This moment in my history came back to me as I read through today’s Scripture. You see, I had this whole idea about being “saved” that meant little more to me than escaping hell. I thought if I said the words to invite Jesus into my heart then it was a done deal, a free pass to heaven. But Jesus is telling us here that it’s more than that — it’s about our day to day existence.

What I see in these verses is a message about what gets our attention, our time. Are we doing the things each day to prepare ourselves to stand before Jesus Christ or are we caught up in the mundane of life, in the excesses and anxieties life can hold? Are we more focused on the ritual of salvation than the responsibilities of salvation? I don’t know about you, but I don’t ever again want to experience the feeling of that Saturday so long ago.

Prayer for the day: Jesus, teach me to live a life of preparation and service so that I may joyfully stand before you one day! Amen.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.