Who Says I Cannot Be Lazy

Ed, my old neighbor from Saskatchewan, phoned yesterday when I was taking a day off. Sometimes it is okay to be lazy. Even, Ed realized I had a duty to watch the old western, ‘Gunsmoke,’ on television since he is a western fan himself. Watching a DYI program on remodeling an old house, made me tired because of all the work they did in renewing the old house. I could have gone for a workout at the gym, but I had a flu shot, and I did not want put stress on my vaccinated arm. My old neighbor does not realize how busy and demanding retirement can become. I informed Ed that taking a lazy day off is an essential element of being retired.

“Wake up and be alert since I have called you,” Ed ordered. “Being lazy and zoned out on television is alright when you don’t have me to talk to, but now that I have called you, it is time for you to become alert and focused,” he continued.

“Do you have important news to share with me?” I asked him. Ed did have some news. He had forgotten to tell me that he had been at the last game of the Saskatchewan Rough Riders at Taylor Field. The old stadium is being replaced. The Grey Cup activity had made him remember he wanted to share the information about Taylor Field with me. He was determined that Calgary will win the Grey Cup this year, but I was too lazy to argue with him.

I told him that I would wake up get more focused and alert as we continue in the Church Season of Advent. Advent comes before the celebration of Christmas and focuses us on the many truths about Jesus, such as Jesus came to earth as a baby conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived and died as a sacrifice for all sins, and arose from the dead on the third day. He also ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God. From God’s right hand Jesus will come again to earth to judge the living and the dead. The focus of Advent is being prepared for the second coming of Christ.

The Bible speaks of Jesus’ second coming this way: “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” In the days of Noah people could see the big ark Noah was building but they refused to consider that they needed to repent before God. They just ignored God or were lazy about loving and serving God, and were busy living their own lives. When Jesus comes, it will be like a thief in the night. If a person knew a thief was coming, they would stay up and protect their house from being robbed. We need to be alert and aware of Christ’s return.  We need to be awake to the fact it could be any day or hour. We must not be lazy about watching for him.

Knowing that Christ will return to earth is a source of hope and joy for Christians. “We wait for the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

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