What If The Line Is Empty?

There's nothing more frustrating then preparing for an appointment, only to
be denied because of another's mistake.

You have a throbbing tooth and make an appointment to see the dentist. You go
in the next day, only to be told that your name is not listed and you must
come back another time. Or maybe you have made an appointment with the car
mechanic to have that "funny sound" in your car fixed. You get up before
work and go to his shop. They scan the list of appointments and your name is
not there. "Sorry, you'll have to come back tomorrow", they say. You are not
very happy.

Maybe you have been on the road, possibly for business or traveling with your
family. You stop at a hotel to spend the night. It's been a weary day and you
are looking forward to the refreshment of a clean bed and a nice shower. You
made arrangements ahead of time to have that nice room. The person working
the front desk looks in the appointment log but your name is not there.
"Sorry, we are all filled up tonight" is her response. Even with her sincere
apology, you still must go on and look for another hotel.

All of these pale in comparison to the final appointment: the day we will
listen for our name to be read from the book of life. "And I intreat thee
also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel,
with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the
book of life." (Philippians 4:3) "And all that dwell upon the earth shall
worship him, [the beast] whose names are not written in the book of life of
the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (Revelation 13:8) One day
God will read from that book of life: what if the line where your name is to
be is empty? Now is the time to prepare. Now is the time to make sure that
your name is there. It will be too late when you stand before Him! [JW]

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to
wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)