Schedule

     Working retail, I understand following a schedule and getting there on time. I understand that the world revolves and keeps on turning even without us. We depend upon the clock and the toll of the bell. And if I were to quit my job or disappear off the face of the earth my position would be replaced. Someone else would be found to do the work I did. I am simply a little tiny gear in a complicated system. My work can be done by another. But the schedule must be conformed to. I have a hard time with this sometimes because I have my own time. My own perspective and enjoyments that must be heard too. But who else cares of me? The days continue to unfold. The ocean does not care about a little boat trying to keep from sinking. I am but a drop in the bucket.
     Round and round the world goes. Generations of workers, associates, and businessmen come and go. A business goes under, another takes its place for the need. Leaders and nations fall. Others rise. The pattern of the human race. The clock ticks on.
     When you look at it this way, you wonder, what is the point in life? It's all meaningless. Utterly meaningless. Solomon, history's wisest man, said the same thing. The book of Ecclesiastes describes the search for meaning in this world. Is life about money? Someone else gets it when you die. Is life about love? This person may give their life for you but you too will still die. Is life about passing what you know down to the next generation? They will make the same mistakes as you no matter how hard you may try to tell them not to and why. That is humanity. We all grow up on our own. We all die on our own. Is life about having that next generation? Parenting is hard and not all are cut out for it. And even more have children and leave everyone else to take care of them. So many orphans out there. Is life about happiness? Happiness is a choice and the dead don't feel.
     We are all on a schedule. Waiting for the unknown day when Death comes knocking. So we try to fill our days with meaning. Vanity of vanities. We can't figure out the meaning. And the world keeps on turning. Utterly meaningless.
     Except one thing.
     The meaning.
     Water to wine. Death to life. Scars of healing. The mystery of a power that changed the world.
     Tears divine that fell into the ocean.
     Colored a bunch of little drops and dropped them into the giant bucket.
     And the rings spread out, tainting the water.
     The Meaning has come: "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them.'" Ecclesiastes 12:1
     Our journey of searching for meaning has a meaning of its own. The One to give us joy, love, purpose, and a place in this world is here. When the One gave Life over to Death, Death was conquered.
     The meaning.
     Preparation for the Day after we have died. The return of Jesus as the Conquering King. Those of us who live for Him are waiting for His time. His schedule. Not the world's. His.
     His timing is perfect. Never forget.