I Hate Being Late!

I was tensely comfortable as I drove knowing that any unforeseen incident could cause me to be late but realistically expecting a smooth ride with an on-time finish. After all, I’d driven this same route every morning for some time now without incident. Then I saw it. Every morning commuter’s nightmare. Let’s see if you can guess: big, yellow, ugly, flashing lights, stop and go, and red stop sign. If you guessed school bus, you’re right on. Seriously! How have I not met up with a school bus on this road over the past several months? And then came the sickening realization: I’m going to be late.

I was stopped four cars back from the bus praying that the address where the bus was at would be its final stop on this road but fearing that it was just one of many. I then began bemoaning the fact that I had not given myself enough time. Why don’t you just get up earlier? Why do you always have to cut it so close? Oh Lord, help me out this morning and I promise I’ll do better? For some of you reading this, these statements are all too familiar.

Then the unthinkable happened. The school bus turned off its flashing caution lights then turned on its right blinker light and pulled as far right as it could on a two-lane road with a very small shoulder. I thought to myself, what was it doing? There’s no road there. The car directly behind the bus proceeded to pass the bus. The other cars in front of me followed suit and I tagged along behind them. Once clear of the bus and back in my lane, I looked in the rearview mirror and the bus pulled back on the road then stopped at the next address. I couldn’t believe it. The bus driver took compassion on us and allowed us to pass. Praise the Lord. Despite my lack of preparation, I would make it to the office just in time.

Now, this minor incident might seem trivial to some, but it served to trigger a couple of thoughts I wish to share. As I continued to drive, I mulled over the consequences of being unprepared. This morning, a bus driver’s grace allowed me a second chance. But second chances will not always be possible.

In the early 1800s, a Deist farmer by the name of William Miller was challenged to study the Bible and reconcile all of its apparent inconsistencies. Miller devoted several years to studying the Bible verse by verse using a concordance. After some time, he was convinced that the Bible was consistent, real, and that God was not as he had once made Him out be. Instead, God was a caring and loving God who had a plan for each of us and this world. But, not only that, Miller was also convinced that Jesus would return to take his faithful people home around the year 1843.

Through providential circumstances, Miller began preaching his message of repentance, the soon coming of Jesus and the end of the world. By 1843-1844, the movement had exponentially grown. While the Millerite movement grew in the east United States, others around the world, unrelated to Miller, reached the same conclusion and began preaching the identical message. Many gave their hearts to Christ and joyfully awaited the 2nd Advent predicted to occurr on Oct. 22, 1844. At midnight, Oct. 23, a bitter disappointment was felt throughout the Christian world. Jesus had not returned as expected. Many left the faith and many more mocked those who had dared believe the world would come to an end. I can’t help but wonder how many of the scoffers waited in dreadful anticipation for the day to be over. I bet there were more than a few. What a relief they must have felt when the world was still here the next day.

Unbeknownst to them, grace had been extended to the ill prepared. But, instead of turning to God, many believers and unbelievers alike chose not to draw closer to Him through this experience. In a way, this world received a second chance in 1844. Unfortunately, God’s gift fell on deaf ears and the world continues as if nothing happened then and nothing will ever happen.

Notwithstanding popular sentiment, the Bible paints a different picture. We now know that the Millerites were not wrong in their calculation but misunderstood the event. The 2nd Advent of which they spoke of was still to come. Although the time appeared right, fulfillment of key Bible prophecy events had not yet taken place. Fast forward more than 170 years to our day and things look a bit different. What scripture predicted the world would be like in the final days is what our world looks like today. All signs point to the sobering reality that Jesus’ coming is near—very near.

This time, the parable of the ten virgins suggests that there will be no second chance. When the announcement was made that the bridegroom was coming, all of the virgins awoke but not all were prepared. Five had made provision for unforeseen delays but, like my drive plans this morning, five gambled that the journey would be without hiccup. As a result, the five who were ready went into the wedding leaving he others outside. Mat. 25 informs us that the unprepared were locked out and although they begged to enter, God said he did not know them.

Friends, it’s one thing to be late to work and a whole other story to be unprepared for the coming wedding feast with our Lord Jesus Christ. We’ve started a new year. Many new years resolutions have already been broken. Nevertheless, I encourage you to make one resolution a priority—spend time with Jesus. Take the time every day to read His Word and pray without ceasing. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Preplanning and preparation now will pay eternal dividends.