Like me, you may have heard the phrase “Be Prepared”. The Boy Scouts motto is one that we should apply to many parts of our lives. We cannot know everything that may come up and it is good to be able to address those efficiently when they present themselves. The Lord’s return is one of those we should be ready for.
“42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” – Matthew 24:42 (ESV)
“Stay awake” or “be prepared”. As a father of boys who play sports, I know that they practice immensely to get ready to play. They work on conditioning, learning plays, and understanding what the philosophy of the coaches system so that when the game comes, they can just execute. But, when I watch them in game situations and see the adjustments as a reaction to something unexpected, I am amazed at how they just knew. This comes from preparation and staying awake.
“43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.” – Matthew 24:43 (ESV)
We cannot know when things are going to happen, and they will, but we can be prepared for them. When we go to sleep at night, we lock our doors, kick on the alarm, and make sure our families are secure in the house. In other words, we prepare, like the master of the house.
As we are waiting for the return of God, we should be prepared. We have work to do on this earth and for that we practice, to work on our conditioning, learning plays, and understanding the way God has in line for us to live. When we have practiced the plays and are doing things in line with God’s Word, we are ready to adjust as a reaction to something unexpected.
We do not know when God is returning, but we can prepare for this unexpected event. Not unexpected because it will surprise us, but because we have done the work and are rewarded for our obedience.
Will you work on your conditioning, learning plays, and understanding the God has in line for you? Will we be able to relax and enjoy the unexpected timing of God’s return, because we have done the work asked of us? Will we be prepared, because we do not know?
Trevor's Thoughts 