When we're driving somewhere for vacation, my travel philosophy is very simple and very male. The purpose of the trip is to be there, why waste unnecessary time getting there. So we drive some long stretches and we have gas, rest, and food stops down to a well timed drill. But, during the busy vacation seasons there is a down side to this and it comes at the end of when your body's saying, "Put me down, now!" Now since I don't know exactly how far we will be able to make it, I can't make a motel reservation. So, I get off where there are some choice of reasonable motels and I drive in hoping I can be horizontal within say 15 minutes. "No Chance," I hate words like these. "Sorry, We're Full." Or those dreaded words, "No Vacancy." Or the slightly more comforting sign, "Sorry." They all mean the same thing - no room, I'm not getting in.
Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The 'No Vacancy' Run-Around."
You know it's hard to be continually greeted with the answer, "Sorry, No Vacancy." Jesus knows that feeling. He's been knocking at the door of many hearts who've constantly told Him, "Not today," "Not tonight," "Sorry." Maybe you've sensed at various times that Jesus is tugging on your heart, offering you another chance to invite Him in. He's come to the door many times, but He's still outside isn't He? It isn't that you openly rejected Him, it's more like you've neglected Him. You've told Him, "Not yet" or "Maybe later, I'm not ready." Or maybe you haven't told Him anything. It's dangerous business to hang out a "Sorry No Vacancy" sign when the One seeking to come in is the Son of God.
Listen to out word for today from the Word of God. Words addressed to people who heard His voice but not responded. Begins with Proverbs 1:23 - "If you had responded to my rebuke," God says, "I would have poured out my hear to you...But since you rejected me when I called...since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; ... when distress and trouble overwhelm you ... 'Then they will call to Me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me.'" These are hard words to read but we got to know they're there. God has poured out the life of His Son Jesus on a cross to cancel the death penalty for your sin and then your Creator has reached out to you offering love that none of us deserves.
Jesus says He knocks at the door and if you continue to ignore or reject Him, there comes a day when He stops knocking. You don't come to Jesus when you're ready, you come when He's ready. Jesus said, "No one comes to Me unless My Father draws him." Now, if you feel yourself drawn to Jesus right now, it means He's ready and you can still let Him in, but He won't be ready forever. That's why the Bible says, "Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon while He is near." If He's near right now, please don't wait anymore to put your trust in Him. Open your heart to this One who loved you enough to die for you.
If you want to make today your day to begin that life changing relationship with your Creator, would you tell Him that now? Jesus has loved enough to come back one more time, knocking at the door of your heart. It's time for you to finally reach for that door, open it, and welcome into your life the One who loves you more than anyone else.