Going Alone to "Meet Your Maker"

In this country, we all seem to go through life with our "blinders" on. There are people here who actually feel that the world owes them a living. All these ridiculous occupy movements are making headlines everywhere. It doesn't really matter what it is they occupy, either. A street, town, park, beach or a government building, it doesn't make much difference. What these occupiers are really saying is...
"GIMME! GIMME! GIMME!"

I have visited parts of the world wherein it was the norm for parents to live in terror that their kids might starve near the end of every winter, simply because there was nothing left to eat. Those same children were considered lucky to find worn-out rags to wear. Many were simply forced to do without.

Do they have cars, cell-phones, computers, televisions or even a McBurgers restaurant in their neighborhood?

Nope, not a chance! And yet, God loves them, each and every one. How do we feel about them?

Is this even a "fair" question?

Let’s take an honest look at what we own... There are things we use and wear on a regular basis, and there are "special occasion" items, as well. But, what about the various things we've bought, just because they were on sale? Most of us also have "seasonal" clothes and jewelry we've never worn (and probably never will). A "spare" watch (now, where did I put it?), another portable videogame system, a (really neat) electronic gadget that hasn't even been turned on since the day after it was purchased. These are just examples of the "stuff" we use to pretend that we really are worth as much, as we like to think we are.

Whom is it we are trying to convince?

When the time comes for you to "Meet Your Maker," will He be impressed in any way with these trinkets? Somehow, I don't think so. You see, He's already made His position VERY clear.

..."Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
..."Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?'
..."Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
..."And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (Mt 25:41-46) mkj

-and-

..."Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?'
..."So Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not bear false witness," "Do not defraud," "Honor your father and your mother." '
..."And he answered and said to Him, 'Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.'
..."Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.'
..."But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
..."Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, 'How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!'
..."And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, 'Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'
..."And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, 'Who then can be saved?'
..."But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.' "
(Mk 10:17-27) mkj

Look at this from God's point of view... He gave each of us a basket of "stuff." How big that basket is (and what is in it) has NO bearing on our responsibilities, except insofar as what God expects us to do with it!

A perfect example is a little child. He or she has absolutely nothing to give anyone, but love! Most very little children love with an intensity that amazes adults, but it is often all they have to share. With the passage of time, they begin to learn the deplorable attitudes of adulthood. They will begin to crave "stuff" as badly as we do. Is this our definition of "maturity?" Then, why do we miss the childlike innocence so much, when it is gone?

We all need to take a closer look at our personal "basket of stuff." Can anything there help any other to become closer to God? Is there anything there that takes our own focus away from God? Could we possibly wish that Our Lord refer to us as "You wicked and lazy servant" as He did to the one who would not choose to invest in His behalf (in Mt 25:26)?

All you can take to "Meet Your Maker," is yourself!

See you soon, in Paradise!