24

Jack Bauer is a Field Agent of a special clandestine government protection unit assigned to discover and eliminate domestic terror threats plotted against the USA. 24 is the series name of this Fox produced, Golden Globe winning drama, set to launch its 7th season and guaranteed its 8th by the network. 24 depicts the daily life of Jack Bauer as he roots out enemies of the State in a fast action, high powered, shoot and ask questions later story line.

Was your day yesterday like Jack's?

Did your last 24 race by or did you limp to bed ready to turn out the light on another lost 24?

If you had the choice of spending the next 24 in any place doing anything that you possibly could, what would you choose to do or experience? Any place that you would go? Any person you would want to share your 24 with? At the end of your chosen 24, what would you reflect back on and relish? If you would have had 25...what would have been crammed into that one extra hour that 24 just could not make happen?

When you answer that question, you know what you really care about and what truly defines you.

Some might use their 24 to perfect their golf swing. Others might hurry to Hawaii to catch some rays and waves. Others might opt to experience the Land of the Rising Sun on the other side of the world. Spending the day with the kids at the park, backpacking with your gal in the Rockies, or herding buffalo with your buddies in South Dakota might get your 24. Would you decide that interviewing people of interest, power, means and authority would be quite a 24 experience instead?

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." Psalm 84:10

Some would choose to take their 24 to the Super Bowl, the NCAA Basketball Final Four, an Oscar after party or New Year's Eve in the Big Apple...but not the Psalmist. He could not get enough of (hold your breath on this one)...GOD! That's a hoot! You have to be kidding me! Give the man a day, a 24, and he would spend it with God? Even Ripley would not believe that one! This man was sincere to the core. You can feel his passion in his words long before you get to verse 10...

"My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." Psalm 84:2

He concluded his thoughts on his desired 24 like this;

"I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." Psalm 84:10b

"Let me be an usher!" "I am happy with handing out programs." "Just let me close enough to get a glimpse...I don't have to be near the front row...I don't have to be snuggled up to the stage...I don't even care to be on stage in the bright lights and cheered on by the crowd. Let me just be near You, God. Let me just be close to You. 24 here beats 1,000 24's hand's down."

Some live for the day that they will be inaugurated. Others are determined that they will wear a Championship ring. Many dream about their moment holding the trophy, winning American Idol, walking down an aisle to be married or across the platform to be handed their college degree. I am not sure if any of these things are particularly bad or even wrong. That I don't know. One thing I do know...I want to get to the place that this Psalmist was. I want to get to the place that if I could choose the agenda completely, I would joyfully, happily, gratefully and deliberately choose 24 to be a doorkeeper at the gate through which the "King of glory" would enter!

Today is a day that many have looked forward to throughout 2008. Election Day is the 24 that candidates and their supporters have marked on their calendars for over two years. This is the 24 when dreams will become realities, when problems will be solved, when wars will be stopped, when gas prices will plummet, when mortgages will be paid and debt forgiven, and the nation will sing Kumbaya when the tally is finalized by the next 24. How we place our focus and our trust in well intentioned people and policies who energize our hope with assurances that no human can truly guarantee.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7

Spend a 24 with the Lord of Hosts, and maybe even string a few 24's together with that same holy ambition, and you cannot help but to be fully, completely satisfied no matter the election results. Be sure to vote, no doubt...but make it a part of your 24 not the essence of it.