Monday, April 20, 2009

Jesus is Coming, Look Busy

Saw this bumper sticker on the back of a car while I was coming home from the grocery store today. I had layers of reaction to it. And I'm curious to know what you think when you first read it. Funny? Warped? True? Offensive?

What did Jesus tell us to be doing when He returns? Somebody post here and tell us!

UPDATE: My first reaction was to laugh at the audaciousness of this sticker. And then to nod my head in agreement that this is so often the human condition - our fleshly mode of operation.

Then I thought about the various things I do ... how much of it "counts" eternally, and how much of it is wasted vanity? After a few more minutes of pondering, I realized that sometimes resting (in God) is the most productive thing I can do.

Then again, I have a tendency to think too much. :)

BTW, I also noticed another bumper sticker on this person's car indicating he is a Quaker.

PS. I posted in the comments something Jesus had to say on this subject

11 comments:

  1. My first reaction was offended. I don't want to "look" busy but actually "be" busy when He comes back. Not in a legalistic way, but in a way that shows my love for God. Out of the outpouring of my heart I want to be serving Him. Loving others. His love is so great! Once we all understand that at heart level we wont be able to do anything but love and serve Him by serving and loving on others!

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  2. I tend to think it's more funny. (I don't take those type of stickers seriously) Instead of "looking busy" I want to be glorifying Him in all that I do. I want to "be busy" working to further His Kingdom. I don't mean just by volunteering at church, but by being a good friend, living a good life where others want to have what I have (in the spiritual sense). I want Christ to come out of all of my actions in my everyday living and in turn simply love others.

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  3. I know Jesus is coming back, but I don't want to "look busy" (He already knows what we are doing), I want to be serving Him. I don't think there will be time to "look busy", if we knew the time He was coming, which we don't, even He doesn't know only God knows that. If we are doing God's will we don't have any need to worry. Jesus looks at the heart not the outward appearance.
    To others we may not appear to be ready for His coming, but God knows our hearts. The choice is ours. We should wake up every morning thinking is this the day Jesus with come? That excites me. I'm ready for His coming. This world is looking less and less like a place I want to stay much longer.
    Just, be ready,
    AliceE.
    PS Wonder if the person with the bumper sticker is ready?

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  4. In Mt 24:45 - 47 Jesus told the parable of the servants left in charge until the master returned. They were left in charge of the other servants in the household to "give them their food at the proper time" and if they were found doing so when the master returned it would be "good". Jesus told Peter specifically to "feed his sheep" and all the disciples to go into the world, make disciples and preach the Good News. It seems that our "busy-ness" for Jesus revolves around spreading the gospel and feeding those in the household of faith with the WORD. Like the farmer scattering the seed. That really speaks to me today that we would be a constant testimony to Jesus in our words as well as our deeds.

    Today I'm convicted that I'm over committed with work and shortchanging my last child left at home -- the primary one I'm to be "feeding" right now. I pray I can press in to wisdom to know how to handle my schedule and not let the good crowd out the best the Lord has for me to do and to be. When he comes, let me doing what He calls me to do.

    Diane

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  5. Jesus wants us to feed His sheep. Not just look busy. As Christians we sometimes feel we have to be doing something that someone else can see. Not necessarily so! A daily, silent witness at home, at work, in the grocery store, on the running path at the park...live your life in such a way that men, women and children will want to know how you survive in a world of chaos! Witness, feed His sheep. If we are too busy, on every committee, taking all speaking engagements, participating in every event, we don't have time for relationship with God, for His love to envelop us and feed us so we can feed His flock.

    The bumper sticker reminds me that I must not just look busy but be who and what God needs me to be at any given moment. To know what that is, I must be diligent in my pursuit of Him and listen for His instruction. Grace and peace to you this day.....Linda, Columbus

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  6. Hmmm. Really interesting. I'm sensing some sarcasm maybe?

    Either way - it makes me think about Jesus' return. And that is a good thing.

    Thanks for making me think,
    Kate :)

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  7. Jesus is coming, be busy about the Father's business. That's what it means to me. Don't let one day go by and not living for Him.

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  8. My first (and second and third) response is disgust. I know someone who printed it thought it was funny, but it's like when as a teenager you know your parents are coming home and you've been wasting about for hours and when you hear the garage door open you jump up and act like you've been working hard on your chores the whole time. Who are you fooling? To think that "looking busy" will be rewarded? Someone has an odd sense of humor to say the least.

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  9. Jesus said in Luke 12:35-36:

    "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him."

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  10. He wants us to prepare for His coming, but not to worry about anything. That's a difficult task, however, always seeking Him in ALL THINGS will make it easier. Preparing ourself for His coming is like when we are preparing for a guest to come to our home. The difference is He is Our Father, Our Redeemer, Our Savior, Our Everything. We need to deligently seek Him and by choosing to do His Will and above all loving one another shows Him we are prepared to receive Him.

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  11. To Peaceliving, I think you misunderstood the interpretatation of what "Jesus is Coming, Look Busy" is referring to. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ knows we all struggle with the flesh and He wants us to continually seek Him in helping us overcome our many flaws. It is an ongoing challenge of doing what is right in God's eyes on a day to day, moment to moment , second to second battle with the enemy. It's going to take alot of time and effort to overcome our many transgressions. I for one know I am a work in progress and seek Him everyday to help me live my life the way He intended. We ALL fall short. The wonderful thing is, He loves us in spite of ourselves. What an awesome God we serve!

    Blessings,

    Jo-Ann/Denver

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