Multitask

We hear the term all the time.
Multitask.
The word may stir up positive or negative connotations.

Efficiency.
Too many plates in the air.

Remember the Ed Sullivan show?
Undoubtedly, there would be a performer on stage with plates on a tall sticks.
The performer would spin the plate and move to the next stick…the next plate.

It was a dance…an art…to keep those plates spinning.
The plates would wobble precariously.
You doubted that he would ever reach the plate in time to keep it from falling.
Somehow, he always did.

Often, multitasking looks similar to that performance.
Too many plates in the air.
Rarely, do we consider it an efficient way to get things done.
We do it out of necessity.

If you have ever watched a mother of small children, you will see an expert multitask-er.
She can prepare lunch and feed the baby, while searching for a lost shoe.
She can help with homework as she stirs spaghetti and folds laundry.

Efficiency.
No wonder she falls asleep as soon as she sits down and puts her feet up.

Sometimes multitasking is necessary.

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Matthew 24:36-44)

Keep Watch.
Be Ready.

The ultimate multitask.
The tightrope we walk this side of heaven.

Living our lives in anticipation of His coming.
Living our lives in such a way that we are ready whenever Jesus comes back again.

How do we multitask between watchfulness and readiness?
How do we balance the two?

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.  It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch! (Mark 23:32-37)

Be on guard!
Be alert!
No sleeping on the job!
Watch!

Important multitasking needs to be done.
But how?
Are we to be unproductive while we wait?

By no means!
We have a job to do…our assigned task.
We have a Gospel to share…and to live out, day by day.
We have the light of Christ that needs to shine from us so that others can see.

He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. (Acts 17:26,27)

As believers, we are called to multitask as we journey towards heaven.
Do what we are called to do while we are here…and be ever mindful of HIM as we do it.
Live our lives to glorify Him…and be ready for heaven at any moment.

Be alert, watchful, prayerful, awake!
Multitask for His Glory…waiting for His return.
When Jesus comes back everything will pale in comparison to Him.

We will be single-minded…focused…on HIM!