Occupying While Waiting for Jesus :: By Candy Austin
Waiting Definition: the action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time (or until someone comes) or something else happens: *parenthesis part added mine*
What does it mean to wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14)? | GotQuestions.org
For about a decade now, I have been fervently waiting for Jesus (Elohim, Yeshua Hamachiach, Emmanuel, The Lion of the Tribe of Judah). Waiting for my Savior to come for me. Waiting for my Lord to rapture us out of this sin-sick world. Waiting for the deliverance that only the Creator of our souls can provide. Waiting for some much-needed relief. Waiting for joy, such anticipated and profound joy. Waiting to finally exhale and truly breathe. Waiting to set my eyes on beauty upon unspeakable beauty. Waiting for that all-time epic embrace from the One who bled and died for me.
Yes, waiting… for my Jesus, every day… just waiting.
Luke 19:13, “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”
As Christ Followers, our Lord Jesus said for us to abide in Him (think vine and branches parable… for without Him we can do nothing) while we are to wait. He also gave us an example in one of His parables for us to ‘occupy until He comes.’ For see, it has been made clear that we are in the world, but we are not of it. While we wait on Him, we are to be set apart (not partaking in or being a part of this world’s ways, systems, and traditions), to be productive (producing fruit), serving (being pleasing to Him), and carrying out the Great Commission (by sharing the Gospel Message) in hopes of snatching, even if only a few, out of the fire, so to speak.
How are we to live our lives in light of Christ’s return? | GotQuestions.org
Recently, while occupying on our vacation, my sweet husband and I, from where we were standing on the ship, had views as far as the eye could see. Across the way, we were able to feast our eyes on a particular island (apparently one called ‘Star Island,’ where many celebrities are said to live). A place full of lush palm trees surrounded by blue-green water, nestled in white sands, with multiple seagulls flitting to and fro. And from what we could see on the other side of the turquoise waters were multiple lavish and tropical mansions, each having their own private white luxury yachts anchored nearby!
Talk about ‘sumpin, sumpin fancy schmancy!’
Truth be told, in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but think, As nice as all of this obviously is, it sure isn’t worth it, even in this life, at least to me, for one to sell their soul over! I mean, it’s a known fact (for those who have eyes to see) that in order for a person to achieve this kind and level of fortune, fame, and stardom and to be able to live in such a lap of luxury as on ‘Pentagram’… ahem… I mean, ‘Star Island,’ they have to basically ‘sign along the dotted line’ aka ‘sell their soul’ to none other than Satan, that old Serpent, Lucifer… you know… the ol’ Devil himself!
(Talk about ‘yuck mouth’!)
For we know that the whole world lieth in the power of the wicked one. To me, to know the truth of all of this has it leaving a ‘bad taste in my mouth.’ Not only that… an ominously dark feeling in my stomach, heart, mind, and soul. Basically, it makes knowing all of this absolutely disgusting! Disgusting to give oneself over to the Evil One! Disgusting to align oneself with the Father of Lies for opulence, wealth, fame, and luxuries! Disgusting to desecrate God’s Temple, aka one’s body and soul, by selling out to such twistedness, corruption, and perversion! Just thoroughly disgusting overall spiritually!
1 John 5:19, “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
Right now, there are celebrities (who are the famous and rich people of this world) who have all of what I just described above and much more, yet at the same time, they are hopelessly and miserably lacking! Just read the tabloid articles, social media posts, and front-page news clips on Yahoo Internet, and you will see for yourself how most are on their ‘umpteenth sexual relationship’ or on their ‘I lost count how many times’ marriages that is no-doubt inevitably destined to fail. As we speak, there are wealthy and famous people who are just dying on the inside and suffering in multiple ways mentally, emotionally, physically, and, more importantly, spiritually!
No matter how things may seem on the outside, they are not truly happy. Because while they may have all that this world has to offer, ‘outside looking in,’ at the same time, ‘inside looking out,’ they don’t have the true source of happiness, which is only found in Jesus! (John 14:6, For Jesus is the only way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Him!) They don’t have any real joy in their lives because they don’t have the Joy of the Lord, which is having Jesus abiding in, through, and with them. These sell-outs seem to have all the new and shiny things that this old, regurgitated, and worthless world has to offer and all that money can buy, yet here they stand for all the world to see utterly bankrupt in mind, soul, and spirit because they chose to trade the truth of God for the lie of the devil!
Romans 1:25, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Don’t get me wrong, in this life, we can still enjoy things in and with a godly nature. In my mature age, I have found that I have become a morning coffee drinker (with cacao, cinnamon, Truvia, vanilla collagen peptides, and MCT coconut oil) – which has become the treat and highlight of my day – and a microwave popcorn snacker (with ranch and oregano seasonings and black pepper) at night. Not every night, but a few times a week, which is the highlight and fun of my evenings, too. My hubby and I will gleefully laugh with each other at guilty pleasures like eating a piece of rich chocolate pecan fudge or going on a specialty yogurt run with all of our favorite toppings. (Mwahahaheeheehee!)
Yes, being a believer doesn’t mean that all of life is a ‘killjoy,’ and we come to find that it is not only better but becomes a pleasure to live in moderation and godliness, which is a way less burdensome way of living. (Like Jesus said, His yoke is easy, and His burden is light, which is so very true in many ways!) Unlike the experiences of those who suffer from vices that the ungodly tend to pursue (sex, drugs, alcohol, nightlife, and ungodly entertainment that usually ends up in unwanted pregnancies, addictions, broken relationships, burdens, financial losses, homelessness), which are very heavy things to bear in this life and throughout eternity, spiritually and soulfully!
Wise Quotes:
“I’d rather go through the storm with Jesus than sail through life without Him.”
“I’d rather die with Jesus than live without Him.”
“Take the world but give me Jesus.”
“I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there isn’t, than live as if there isn’t a God and to die and find out there is.”
“God is like oxygen; you can’t see Him, but you can’t live without Him!”
“You can live without God, but you cannot live without God in peace.”
“He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.”
Therefore, we had an awesome vacation. The main highlight of our cruise was on the Dolphin Experience Excursion in the Bahamas. An experience where we literally got to touch, dance, hug, kiss, and take epic photos with this marvelously smart and funny creature that Abba Father God has created for us to enjoy while we wait for Him down here on earth. My husband and I literally have a family photo now of us in the crystal-clear blue water with this fascinating and sweet Dolphin seemingly smiling too up on our wall as I type this. My sweet hubby also couldn’t help but comment on how the Bahamas Excursion Staff perfectly captured my huge smile as I hugged that Dolphin. He said it’s like I had the biggest smile ever! I told him that smile was because, let’s be real… when is the next time we’ll get to hug a live Dolphin like that in such a surreal moment.
Thank You, Abba, for that awesome experience we were able to have just recently.
Episodes like this have me imagine that in Heaven we will have days like this, but instead of it being only ‘once in a blue moon,’ it’ll be all the time and with all sorts of captivating creatures that God has created for us. Ultimately, I can only begin to try and imagine… for eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither mind/heart can conceive what God has prepared for those who love Him.
1 Corinthians 2:9, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
You see, nothing on or in this planet, no matter how cool, fancy, fun, classy, sparkly, glittery, and whatever other adjective we can use to describe these things and experiences, can ever truly or fully satisfy the ‘bottomless pit’ which is the human heart! After all, the true believer knows that everything here is only temporary. For even Jesus told us in His Word, “Heaven and Earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” The Bible details how that the heavens, elements, earth, and the works therein will all pass away with a great noise, melt with fervent heat, and will be burned up!
Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
Knowing this makes me not want to waste the precious time we have left here on worldly things that will only inevitably pass away. Instead, it makes me want to invest my time in the valuable things of God that will truly matter for all of eternity. Things as the salvation of souls (leaving Gospel Tracts everywhere), matters that pertain to our spiritual self (our true self), God’s Word and what He has to tell us (reading a chapter every night), basically all things pertaining to Jesus (get to know Him intimately) because He is ultimately all that ever did, does, and ever will matter!
The salvation of our souls in and through the person of Jesus Christ is all that will ever truly matter! Know, that you know, that you know, that you are truly born again! That you are truly blood-bought by the Savior of our lives and souls, and that you know Jesus Christ… and more importantly… that He knows you!
Matthew 7:23, “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
All that this world has to offer… all that glitters and glows… the bling… the cash… the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life… and all that has the new car, house, or item smell… everything that mankind has made… the pomp… the kingdoms of this world… will not matter on that day when we all will stand open, vulnerable, exposed, alone, and naked before Him!
What will you say then? Will selling your soul for the things of this world and trading the truth of God for the lie of Satan be worth it?
Choose wisely.
What did Jesus mean when He said, “I never knew you. Depart from me”? | GotQuestions.org
Until next time… Maranatha!
Sincerely & In Christ,
Candy Austin
(I have no Accolades….
I am just a Nobody,
Trying to tell Everybody,
All about Somebody,
Who can save Anybody!)
My Mission is to be ‘Salt and Light’ to a Lost and Dying world,
To be an Ambassador for Jesus Christ.
All for Him and His Glory!
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