Rays of Light

Six O’Clock Charlie is hanging out with me this weekend while his folks are gone. The affectionate addition of “Six O’clock” to his name was my idea. Charlie knows that my house is his home-away-from-home and he really loves his weekend stays here, but he is especially devoted to his papa, who apparently returned home from work habitually at six o’clock in the evening during Charlie’s formative years.

Charlie’s internal clock is set at six o’clock sharp. I seldom get up before six o’clock in the morning, but that is precisely the time when Charlie, who is determined to awaken me, exhales his hot breath onto my face and nudges me with his cold, wet nose. Like it or not, I am up at six to let Charlie out for his morning business.

Then, after a long day of tailing me and sleeping, mostly sleeping, Charlie gets a bit anxious. At precisely six o’clock in the evening, that lovable old lug moves to the door, which I try to keep open at that time, and intently watches out the screen door for his papa; thus his nickname, “Six O’clock Charlie.” Morning or evening, when six o’clock comes, Charlie is ready for action.

After a while, when Charlie realizes that he is probably going to bunk down for another night at my house, he heads into the kitchen in hopes that I will feel sorry for him and slip him a little something. I usually do; a little treat now and then goes a long way in keeping Charlie content.

Ole Six O’clock always knows his papa will come to get him soon, and he gets really excited any time he hears anything as promising as a car door. Even so, when things don’t go the way he had hoped, Charlie still knows how to make the best of it while he is here. And no matter what, he always lets me know that as long as he stays here, in my home, he is going to dutifully watch out for me and be my loyal ‘best friend.’ (Shhh, don’t tell Dazie Mae!)

Today, a friend of mine earnestly stated “Oh Christ Jesus come back soon!” I’ve felt that way for some time and so have countless others. We are all a bit like Six O’clock Charlie; we know that our Master is coming for us soon, we just don’t know exactly when. And like Charlie, we too must make the best of it while we are still here. After all, this world is our own home-away-from-home. However, what matters most is not in knowing when our Master is coming for us, but whether or not we are ready when He does come and whether or not He will find us faithful and diligent.

Jesus Christ himself said “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4) Until that glorious day when Jesus returns, let us all be about the Father’s business as well. As children and loyal bondservants of our Heavenly Father, we must dutifully ‘watch out’ for mankind and proclaim the Gospel message of salvation and of hope.

Unlike Charlie, though, we don’t have the luxury of sleeping most of our time away. Scripture warns:

“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” (Mark 13:32-37)

A few hours ago, my husband came home from an errand and was greeted by a rather disappointed Charlie. I heard my husband tell him, “I can see the disappointment in your eyes. I know- you were hoping I was your daddy; don’t worry he’s coming soon!”

God’s children may be tired and frustrated with this present world. And we may be disappointed that the Lord has not yet returned. But we can be absolutely sure of this one thing, He is coming soon! Furthermore, He promised “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching…” (Luke 12:37)

We cannot just sit at the door watching for our Master like Charlie does, that’s not what the Lord meant. Rather, we awaken each morning with the expectation that it is time to get busy with the work at hand, knowing full well that our Master is coming soon to take us home- to our real and permanent home. And there, we shall find eternal rest in Him.

Speaking of sitting at the door, it is after five. It’s time to go open the door of expectation for good ole Six O’clock Charlie and then go make supper.

If by chance you are reading this, but do not know the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior and Master, I would like to encourage you to open a door also. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)

Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly!