Most of us played hide and seek as young children. Several kids would hide, while another child would wait about 10 seconds before seeking to find the others. After the verbal countdown, the seeker would yell out: “Ready or not, here I come!”
As we prepared for the new year, we all counted down the last 10 seconds. We thought of how we’d approach this new year differently. Did we think of how we would prepare for the things to come that are yet unseen?
There are many things hidden in this world. An image of an evil skull appeared on the satellite view while Hurricane Matthew slammed into Haiti.
When this hurricane headed for the United States next, where I live, there were many states predicted to be in its path. Nearly the entire East Coast of Florida, along with Georgia and South Carolina were initially the states in the hurricane’s predicted path. Unexpectedly, it also hit North Carolina and did more damage there than anyone imagined.
Many people were caught unprepared. The storm came very late for hurricane season. No one expected it to come so late. Usually, the height of hurricane season comes at the end of August, but we were already in October.
New residents of Florida were unaware of how devastating hurricanes can become — even far inland. For some new to the area, what should you do? Should preparations be made several days in advance of the storm warnings? Should batteries be purchased? Actually, the popular batteries were already selling out everywhere! Should you buy bottled water? Actually, bottled water could only be found if you happened to catch a new shipment at the store. Those water bottles would never even have a chance to reach the shelves before customers would snatch them up from the stocker’s supply cart.
Do you realize that Jesus Christ will return for His people without any warning? His timing will be unexpected! He will catch us all by surprise. Many will be left unprepared.
Jesus told us that He will come like a thief in the night. Do you expect a thief to come in at night or do you feel secure in your home or business? Do you ever consider that day could catch us unaware?
If you are in the path of a hurricane or a typhoon, you are given time to prepare. What do you have ready? Do you think that you have time to prepare when an earthquake hits? We all know that earthquakes normally come without any warning, and you will have no time to prepare.
Jesus Christ will come whether we are ready or not. So we should always be prepared! We have been given the warning signs of His return in advance. I believe they’re almost all here now.
God has given us time to prepare for His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ’s return. He gives us time to prepare our hearts for Him and His Son. He gives us time to repent and stop sinning. He gives us time to get our house (our inner self/our temple/our body, soul, mind, and spirit) in order for His return. We need forgiveness. We need to forgive others. We need to live clean, obedient, and holy lives. We need to live righteously. We need to believe, have faith, and trust. We need to have the fruit of the Spirit. We need to be Christ-like. We need Him to help us change and become sanctified! We can’t do it on our own.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
If we wait too long, then we will not be prepared when Jesus Christ returns for those who have been saved (those who have accepted God’s free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ). It will be too late. It will be like the unexpected earthquake that you never knew was coming that day, but knew that it would come eventually. There will be no more time to do anything. It will be like the avalanche you couldn’t see coming. It will happen in an instant.
“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Luke 12:40)
Many will be weeping after He comes. Others will be cursing. People will be in disbelief, but many will also know they missed the boat. Many will try to die, but it will be of no avail because it will no longer be possible!
“In those days people will seek death but will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them!” (Revelation 9:6)
The Bible tells it all. Read it! Believe it! Repent from your sins! Turn toward God. Accept Jesus Christ into your heart. Seek forgiveness. Believe in God from your heart. Receive the Holy Spirit and be saved.
“Oh Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.” (Psalm 86:5)
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
Every New Year comes with New Year’s resolutions that we say we’re going to stick to this year. Many will start a new diet, go to the gym every day, be more committed to spending time with their spouse or their children, or find something else to start doing differently. This year, why don’t you commit yourself to Jesus Christ and be ready for His return? Why don’t you commit yourself to reading the Bible (the Word of God) and praying? Why don’t you commit yourself to being a true Christian? Why don’t you commit yourself to being ready all the time?
“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Matthew 24:44)
He has given us the signs to show us that we need to prepare. We need to get down to business and quit playing childish games. It’s time to be mature. Grow up because I believe He is saying: “Ready or not, here I come!” Will you be ready?
“The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!” (Luke 12:37)
“He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.” (Luke 12:38)
I look forward to His return because I know that Heaven is my home. The Bible tells us this:
“… We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” (Philippians 3:20)
Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.
God’s Word for Today: “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” (Matthew 24:43)
Copyright © 2016 by Patricia Shehan
All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set it italics.
