By: Bob Felgar
The sticky on the fridge door is a reminder that you have an appointment with Dr. Payne at 10 a.m. this coming Monday.
When that appointment was made, it was a binding agreement. Time and place was settled, bring your med list. This appointment once confirmed was obligatory because if you were late, the next appointment would be escorted into the “inner sanctum,” and you had a choice either to wait to see if you could be “worked in” or make another appointment and leave the facility. However, if you failed to keep your appointment, you would be charged a modest no-show fee.
Some appointments require preparation on both parties, some of course do not. A doctor’s appointment does not but a loan closing does.
There is built into the appointment, a mutual respect for time. The office staff keeps the calendar full by design. Some professionals charge by the hour so as to eliminate the small talk.
For the non-business appointments, there is far more flexibility. If your neighbor is suddenly called out of town the night before a shared meal that had been scheduled, plans are adjusted and a new appointment is set.
There are different types of appointments. The hair dresser appointment is quite different than the appointment to confirm a pregnancy. That is different than the appointment with the oncologist to learn if the tissue submitted earlier is malignant or not.
The disappointment of a missed appointment doesn’t always lead to a re-appointment.
There is another type of appointment that has been recorded. It is unconditional, it is a decree. A divine decree.
The etymology of the word “appointed” in the Book of Hebrews carries the concept of certainty and reserved. Translating the words found in 9:27 says: “Every man has a certain day ahead for his or her death. It is non- negotiable, it is certain. I’ve told people before that I have an appointment, one that I won’t be early for, and I sure won’t be even one minute late.
The rest of that truth is that judgment is coming. For those who reject the concept of the salvation that comes only to those who believe this truth by faith, a severe judgment awaits. This judgment boils down to everlasting separation from God and other things far worse.
For the believers, they will be present for another kind of judgment. This stage is like a rewards banquet.
Some will hear “well done thou good and faithful servant.” Some won’t. Those receiving rewards will immediately lay their rewards at the foot of the Throne, an act of thanksgiving and worship.
Don’t mean to get “preachy,” but since I’m somewhere between 84 and 100, some things are important and becoming more urgent by the day. You never know when your appointment will be. Are you ready?
By: Bob Felgar
