Show Up

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 21, 2017

When he [the king] saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.     Esther 5:2

Successful living is about showing up, which means you arrive at the appointed time, ideally a little early. Your mode of operation is to say less and do more, as your actions speak for themselves. You show up for work as a diligent employee even when you don’t feel like it. You show up for a first date in spite of all the unknowns. You show up on behalf of another even though they may not expect your sincere concern. You show up to exercise when your body begs you to stay in bed. You show up for a funeral when you don’t know what to say. You show up for church even when you feel guilty and insecure.

Make it a priority to show up, and you may be surprised at the result. Eager athletes show up on the bench next to the coach. Those who show up at the right place, at the right time, are the ones who experience God’s best. You may meet a new friend or become reacquainted with an old one, which may lead to an unexpected opportunity. So show up, shut up, and listen up.

You especially need to show up for God. Be relentless about not missing your God time. Show up for God when you are sleepy, lazy, or lonely. Your desire may be waning, but after you show up, your “want to” will grow. Show up for God, and watch Him show up. It takes time to show up for God, but it is time well worth the effort and expense. You can’t afford to not show up for your Savior. Perish the thought that anyone would stand up Jesus. Our Lord is not one to be left waiting. How unwise to rush right past God on the way to orchestrate oblivion or rearrange obstacles. He is waiting patiently for you to show up and be loved by Him. Slow down and show up. Then pour out your heart to Jesus.

It is time to level with the Lord, for His wisdom is waiting. You cannot maintain a breakneck pace with relational wreckage piling up around you. People feel manipulated and misunderstood, so pull up before you go over the cliff of complexity. You may need to burn busyness at the stake. Take the time now to show up for private prayer and petition to the great high priest, Christ. It is prudent to prepare to meet the grace, love, and holiness of God. So show up in humility, and see Him. Just show up for Jesus’ sake, and you will be radically served by an encounter with your living Lord. Show up in the presence of King Jesus, and He will invite you into His inner court of care and concern, like the five virgins who showed up prepared.

“‘At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps’” (Mathew 25:1-4).

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