I'm sitting here at my computer, trying to manipulate my Xanga page into a somewhat satisfactory manner, when my little cat jumps onto the table beside me, stares for a moment, and lets out the most pitiful, drawn-out, half-whine, half-yowl cry. 

She's been doing this often.  If ever I spend too much time staring at the screen, she'll come over, rub against me, and start her whining.  Ignore her long enough, and I've found she'll either go to sleep somewhere...or jump onto the keyboard. 

I guess Dessah recognizes that, unlike when I'm reading or watching television, my focus is almost wholly here.  And that perhaps I ought to be paying attention to her, finding her lost mouse, or...I don't know what. 

Can you imagine if God were demanding like that?  And he more than anyone has that right. 

Well...you know that scripture in Revelations where Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock"?  Did you know that scripture in context is spoken to Christians?   Not to unbelievers...but to the Redeemed!  Those whom Jesus saved, those who claim him to be their Lord...!  

And yet he's out there knocking.  Not pathetically begging, not stalking, not whoring himself out to convince us to let him be a part of our lives...  He's just knocking.  Just hoping someone will open the door and give him a chance to be in fellowship with him.  To become spiritually whole and rich.   

It's a bit heartbreaking, really.  What if Jesus were an ordinary guy, like your neighbor...a guy who confronted, let's say, the robber who broke into your home one night while you and yours were sleeping.  He saves your lives...because it turns out this criminal was really a homicidal maniac about to kill you all.  Now Jesus ends up stopping the guy, but gets badly, badly hurt in the process. 

Okay, now say that once Jesus gets out of the hospital, he decides he's going to come back and make sure you and your family are okay.  But he doesn't assume any special place of honor in your home despite his saving actions. No, he's too polite to just barge in.  So he stands out on your cold, dark porch...knocking.  Waiting for you to leave your dinner table and let him in. 

Can you really imagine not?  But, essentially, I fear too many of us do. 

You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.'  But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.  Revelations 3:17-20, NIV