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A gardener was taking his visitor round the castle and the beautiful, well-groomed fields. The visitor commended the gardener and his wife for the way they were keeping the gardens. He asked, "By the way, when was the last time the owner of this garden was here?". "Several years ago", the gardener replied. The visitor asked, “Then why do you keep the gardens in such an immaculate, lovely manner?” The gardener replied, “Because I’m expecting him to return.” The visitor asked again “Is he coming next week?” “I don’t know when he is coming, but I am expecting him today.” The gardener replied.
One of the most significant promises Jesus Christ made to the Church in the last chapter of the book of Revelation is about the timing of His return to the world. The phrase "I come quickly" should keep every gardener on his/her toes till the owner of the garden eventually shows up. The gardeners must work tirelessly for their master everyday as if He would return by the end of that very day. They must consider themselves highly privileged to be among the few people that God has entrusted His garden to. Their commitments in serving God joyfully and faithfully at all times should not be in doubt. They must be loyal to their master and look forward to seeing him again when He returns.
Unfortunately, the number of faithful gardeners in this generation is very small. Many of the gardeners around today are no longer working for the owner of the garden but for themselves. They have turned the garden to business centres by commercializing almost every activity around them. Immediate gratifications, earthly rewards or "What is in it for me" mentality, are now the driving forces of many gardeners in this generation. Many people are more committed in their place of work than in the garden of God. They work extra hours in their offices but never spend an extra minute in the garden for God. This is quite absurd.
Beloved, are you one of the few faithful gardeners around? Are you still keeping the garden or have you walked away in search of presumed greener pastures that do not exist? Have you commercialized your gifts and talents in the garden? Will the owner of the garden find you still standing and working faithfully for Him when He returns? Please be sincere with yourself!
Friends, there is no doubt that the owner of this garden is on His way. The events unfolding all around the world today clearly reaffirms this fact. Yes, Christ's second coming is very imminent. Hence, it is crucial for us to realign ourselves with Him and stop commercializing our efforts in the garden.
"Jesus Is Coming Soon" is the title of a wonderful hymn that reiterates the fact that Christ's return is imminent:
JESUS IS COMING SOON By R. E. Winsett
1) Troublesome times are here
Filling men’s hearts with fear.
Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake.
Humbling our hearts to God
Saves from the chastening rod.
Seek the way pilgrims trod.
Christians awake!
Refrain:
Jesus is coming soon!
Morning or night or noon;
Many will meet their doom.
Trumpets will sound.
All of the dead shall rise;
Righteous meet in the skies,
Going where no one dies.
Heavenward bound!
2) Love of so many cold,
Losing their home of gold,
This in God’s Word is told, evils abound.
When these signs come at last,
Nearing the end at last,
It will come very fast,
Trumpets will sound.
3) Troubles will soon be o’er.
Happy forevermore
When we meet on that shore
Free from all care.
Rising up in the sky;
Telling this world goodbye,
Homeward we then will fly.
Glory to share!
May God help us to keep watching and serving faithfully until He returns to take us to our home of gold above, Amen
Good day and God bless.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
https://okanlawontaiwo.blogspot.com
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