JUST ENOUGH for The Journey - How Many Times Must We be Reminded?

Those first 3 words I've must have heard my entire adolescent life from both of my parents, especially my Mom who was the disciplinarian in our house. Yes we had rules and I would say that we had a lot of rules, but to be honest, I don't think that we had more rules to live by than anyone else. You see, the rules that my Mom had were simple, although at the time they seemed difficult and over the top.  The rules were to keep us safe so that we would not get hurt.

"How many times do I have to tell you to lock the doors when you go out to play?"
"How many times do I have to tell you to wash your hands before you eat?"
"How many times do I have to tell you to go to bed, get your homework done and to put your clothes away?"
"How many times do I have to tell you to respect your elders, say "Yes Ma'am, Yes Sir, No Ma'am and No Sir?"

How many times did we sigh each time we heard things repeated to us as children? How many times did we think that our parents were broken records that just "skipped"? How many times did we brush them off as if they just didn't realize who we were or that they were in essence disrespecting us in some way? 

Now, how many of us who are all grown up are thankful for the rules and the upbringing that we had as children? I think back over my life and begin to wonder "How many times" I was not caught up in the crowd doing things that would destroy my future and ultimately my life. I wonder on "How many times" I have said no to some of the craziness that enslaves our children today (drugs, drugs and more drugs). I'm thankful for the many times that I had to be in the house when the street lights came on, but when the sirens started to blare in the middle of the night, guess what, my parents weren't awake fearing that it was me or one of my brothers...we were in and most likely already in bed.  What ever happened to a bed time? (LOL)

Well, Jesus has been speaking to the Pharisees and the Jewish people since He came on the scene and He has been saying the same thing over and over.  In John 1:4 Jesus says, "In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men." In John 8:12 Jesus says, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life." In John 9:5 Jesus says, "While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world".

So, "How many times" must we hear that Jesus is the Savior, Jesus loves us, Jesus forgives, Jesus gives us victory, Jesus gives us liberty, Jesus gives us life abundantly?  How much longer are we willing to bump around in the dark, hurting not only ourselves but those in our lives that love us? How many times are we trying to maneuver our way around this cold and dark world, yet we keep falling into the same traps and snares? How man times do I have to ask you How much longer?

Listen to Jesus once more..."For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes."

One day the lights are really going to go out and you who are not in the light will be in utter darkness...darkness like you have never known ever before; darkness that can and will be felt.  Please my brother and my sister, walk in the Light of Jesus Christ and never be caught in the darkness ever again.

Be blessed as you walk in the Light today!