Are You Ready?

23 Mar

I had a wonderful surprise this last Wednesday. I was working outside, enjoying the warmer temperatures, as winter slowly gives up her grasp on our valley, when a car turned into our driveway. I didn’t recognize it at first, but when a handsome young man unfolded his lanky frame from behind the wheel, I was thrilled! It was our son, Alex, driving his wife’s little car!

I’d known Alex was coming to help with our house remodel, but hadn’t expected him until next week. It was wonderful having him home early and we were glad to get a head start on some of our projects. Unfortunately, the visit was short and Ana and I had to work most of it, so we didn’t get to spend much time with him before he headed back home.

Thankfully, Alex has promised to return Sunday, so we can get the projects done we’ve started. It will be nice to get those things done, but what we’re really look forward to is just having him with us for a few days.

Jesus said in John 14:2, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Our Elder Brother has been busy remodeling heaven, getting mansions ready for you and I. He’s been gone a long time, but He promised, “ I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (v. 3)

We “know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13), but we are warned to “take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” Luke 21:34.

If I had known Alex was coming Wednesday, I would have been better prepared. I would have had his room ready, extra food in the fridge, and supplies for the work he was going to do gathered together. I’ll be better prepared tomorrow.

We know Jesus is coming back. We don’t know when, but, when we look at the world around us, especially tragic events like occurred in New Zealand this week, we know it must be soon. It’s time to prepare.

Now is the time to accept Jesus as our Savior, to open our hearts to His love, and to reach out to others with the Good News of His return. Now is the time to dive into His Word, to fortify our hearts and minds with His promises, to “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13.

There is no time for delay, no time to waste in pursuit of things that waste away. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

Are you ready?

God bless and have a Happy Sabbath!