IT’S ALMOST FAIR TIME!
Because our granddaughter is actively involved in the county 4-H Dairy Club, we have learned the month of June is “show time” for her herd! Her care of her “babies,” as she calls them, becomes more acute as open shows seem frequent, and the fair is the climax of the season. She longs for these times, and her efforts have proven quite successful throughout her years in 4-H.
Presently, fair time is only a few weeks away. Each of her entries has been carefully trained to walk with her, stand with her, and accept the presence of other people and animals during the competition. Yet, it is our granddaughter who must present them! She must prove to be their master, and by her training of these animals, they must prove she has taught them to obey. While their grooming is important and judges critique their appearance with extreme scrutiny, it is their behavior that fully determines the winner. For the efforts of that training, she has won several showmanship trophies. She considers that the ultimate prize!
Being a Christian is not a contest! (2 Corinthians 10:12) We are, however, required to prepare ourselves for righteous service in the kingdom of God, the church. (Ephesians 4:12 NAS) Such “training,” if you will, is not accomplished by merely attending services. It is gained by walking with, standing with and learning to obey in every facet of life, the Master is in control of our lives!
I’ve attended numerous 4-H shows and would never attempt to do what those youngsters do with their animals! I haven’t worked with them, and they aren’t acquainted with me in any fashion. At the absolute best, I am but an observer, enthralled with what I see in others, but unable to do any part of their work! Likewise, no Christian, by merely sitting in the pew service after service, can claim to be well equipped to serve God. Each Christian must get busy and work to learn how to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear! (Hebrews 12:28)
Service in the Lord’s kingdom is not always “public,” as we say. Yet, the “training” of our souls in readiness for Judgment Day is from the example of Jesus Himself (1 Peter 2:21). Titus 2 informs us that those of us who have learned (i.e., the elderly men and women) are to teach the younger generation, and we all are to profit from that training in preparation for eternity (read verses 11 – 15).
A wise man once said, “Life on earth is our stage of preparation for judgment. It is here we prove our fitness or unfitness for heaven eternal.” No, there are no “classes” as there are in 4-H. There are no “showmanship” trophies, as there are no competitions between us. But neither are there “participation ribbons” for each one, as if to say, “at least you tried.” Each of us goes to judgment alone (2 Corinthians 5:10). Each of us will be told either, “Come ye blessed,” or “Depart from Me.” No one will argue the outcome of the Judge. We will each accept the decision, and have eternity to enjoy the bliss of heaven, or eternity to regret that we wasted our time on earth to prepare for eternity with God!
I’ve seen many tears shed at 4-H shows because some hard-working youngsters were not winners. They are consoled by someone telling them, “You’ve learned more, and you’ll do much better next year.” But Judgment Day doesn’t permit a “next year.” We have only TODAY to prepare for the day known only to God! (Acts 17:31) Don’t waste time! Be in daily training to serve God well in everything! Use every opportunity to have to do good (Galatians 6:10. Be well prepared for Judgment Day by serving God always!