A wake-up call

Way too early in the morning I got a text from a woman I count among the outer circle of my friends. I reached for my cell in the dark and yanked out the charger. I read:

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith (Galatians 6:7-10). JESUS is standing at your door waiting to be let in.”

No explanation. No precedent for such a Bible messaging custom. Just a random pre-dawn arrow in the heart straight from the Word of God.

The first words to fall under my eye were terrible: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” I was full of fear. The effect was like the prophet Nathan’s “You are the man!” on King David (2 Samuel 12:7). What is God doing to me, sending a third-tier acquaintance with such a tiding of judgment? How does Tanya know of any departure from uprightness in me that warrants this forewarning?

See the chilling impartiality of God in these words! Surely He shows no favoritism. He has spoken into existence a divine principle of governance of men, and it is surely and irrevocably established. Who can rescind it? I must dutifully search myself as the Apostle Paul soberly bids us to do:

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith …” (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV).

What am I sowing? Am I walking in faith? Am I walking in love? Am I deceiving myself, trying to live the faith without faith? If I am sowing thus to the flesh, I will reap corruption. Perish the thought! But if I am sowing to the Spirit (Oh happy thought!), I will reap life. The Word promises so:

“As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone” (Galatians 6:10, ESV).

Well, now is my “opportunity”! Now, when I am by God’s pleasure still in the land of the living! Today, while it is still today (Hebrews 3:15). Let me waste no more time, but count this day a gift not to squander.

So I read three times the words that Tanya sent until I had committed them to memory. Then my husband and I prayed over them and thanked God for His communication. Later in the day I remembered that Tanya had once told me she texts Bible verses to her kids daily, whether they like it or not. It occurred to me that the text that came my way may well have been intended for another. It matters not, since God made no mistake. The verses hit their mark.

Andrée Seu Peterson’s Won’t Let You Go Unless You Bless Me, regularly $12.95, is now available from WORLD for only $5.95.