Daily Devotional #1,758

 A buddy and I went out to lunch yesterday and walked into one of our favorite eating places and got seated. It  was a bit after lunch, and we were hungry. We said “Hi” to the owner and then the waitress came and started with our drink orders. We sat back and were talking and I could see the door that we just came in and about  four guys started to come through the door and the owner was right there and said sorry…we’re closed! I  thought “Closed? I have eaten a late dinner here before…what in the world is going on?” And then I heard the  owner say in a friendly but determined voice “We close at 2:00 pm on Mondays now. I’m sorry, you’re too  late”. And he closed the door to them. First, I didn’t know that it was after 2:00 pm and second, I had no idea  that they closed at 2:00 pm. I realized that we just made it…we too could have been too late. I found out that  the new time was so the staff could have part of Monday off for family or any other kinds of things they needed  to do during a weekday. We had a great lunch, but it was kind of odd thinking that no one else was going to be  allowed in that day. I got to thinking about that. We think we have all kinds of time for anything and  everything that we want to do and feel we need to do. Those folks and maybe others didn’t realize that time had  run out and the doors were closed. God reminds us that we don’t have forever on this planet either. We are all  going to end our journey on earth in some way, in some time. And he reminds us that the doorway to eternity  with God…we call it heaven…will not be open forever. And we have no idea when either one of those things  will happen. The Bible says that God wants you on his team, always! But there will be a time when that door  closes forever. So, we are told way back in the Old Testament to seek the Lord while you can find him. That  we need to call on him now while he is near. No one knows when that last opportunity to come to faith in  Christ will be. But that opportunity is still there now. Invite this Jesus to come and take that guilt and sin away  and experience his love and forgiveness…that he has already paid for. The Bible says he doesn’t want anyone  to be left out. But he will never force himself on anyone. And the doors will one day be closed…for good.  Make sure you have a seat at the table inside. He is waiting for anyone who wants to come to him. Here’s our  Bible verse for today…  
Isaiah 55:6 NLT Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.  
Remember I’m praying for you!  
With love, PJ