Wake Up Paperpunk!
Delivering newspapers was challenging for a nine-year-old especially the chore of waking up at 4:30 am. The desert mornings were dark and cold in Phoenix during the winter. It became a wrestling match to put on two pairs of pants and double sweatshirts with a jacket. We did not have gloves, so we wore socks on our hands. My two older brothers and I would sleep as long as we could and then be in a tizzy to get to the newspaper station.
We had a ‘paperpunk’ friend (that is what we called each other) named Johnny that would come to our back door to wake us up. Occasionally, we would coax Johnny into laying on the floor as we all enjoyed some extra sleep. After a few more zzz’s, we would wake up abruptly and then blame Johnny for not waking us up. He would tell us, “I did wake you up, but you told me to lay down!” We would tell him to make sure we got up time next time; this usually happened about twice a week.
The four of us would then rush out and make up time, by ‘taking the freeway’ on our bicycles. Phoenix was relatively small in 1961 and the newly constructed Black Canyon Freeway was close to our house. We would ride our bicycles as fast as we could down the northbound entrance near Jefferson then exit on Adams. Somehow by the grace of God, we never got any speeding tickets.
Sometimes in life we make up time by rushing or taking risks. Perhaps we drive a little faster than we should as we figure out the exact time we can leave for work without being late. There are unforeseen circumstances along the way that may increase our risks. The more risks we take increase our chances of messing up. Perhaps the risks come in other areas like stretching a rubber band or blowing up a balloon to its breaking point. As we get older, the risks become different like how much quality do I really need to put into my product or service and still maintain maximum sales. Or knowing the checking account balance is lower than the check that was just written with hope the deposit will be there on Monday.
Time is our most valuable resource, once it is gone, you will not get it back. Risks are the chances we take when trying to make up time. One day, Jesus will return and only each of us, individually, can determine if we will be ready for His arrival. “The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they (ten virgins) all became drowsy and fell asleep.” Matthew 25:5 Read this parable as it tells us of 5 wise virgins who were ready with enough oil for their lamps. There were also 5 foolish virgins that had to go out and buy oil. The foolish virgins lost time when buying oil and ended up losing their entrance into the wedding banquet as the door was shut. The 5 foolish virgins asked the bride groom to open the door. “But he replied, Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.” Matthew 25:12 This story is for us now as there is still time to wake up. The day or the hour of His return is not known.
“Wake up paperpunk!” Be ready with some oil (salvation) in your lamp.
Becoming Christian is as easy as ABC as outlined in these Bible verses:
A. All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 John 1:10)
B. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31; John 1:12)
C. If you Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:8-9)
Where you will live for eternity can still be determined right now. The choice is yours, TODAY, to have your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Enjoy the ride in 2021, it is beginning with a bumpy start. God bless you!