Going on vacation, you carefully plan where you want to go and what to do; you calculate expenses and save for the trip. Mormons belief you should have a three month supply of food on hand (minimum)1. The Maasai culture prepares their young boys for manhood – becoming warriors2. A young woman prepares for marriage, often beginning as little girls, and it is ideal for a couple to attend pre-marriage counseling or classes3. If you move to another country you prepare for a new culture. We all know the importance of saving money for emergencies.
But what are we doing to prepare for the return of Jesus?
The other day I was preparing to leave for the mechanic, and was ready with change for the bus and spending the day at a nearby mall. The night before as I looked at the mess inside my car, and thought, “Oh, I’ll do it in the morning.” Guess what? I was about to leave and suddenly remembered that I hadn’t tidied up the car interior, so had to dash about to do that in order to make the 9 A.M. appointment.
We aren’t going to have the opportunity to do that when Christ returns. I recall seeing a video of what it might be like during the rapture; the scene was a church service, the preacher was at the pulpit holding his Bible when BAM – suddenly much of the congregation disappeared and where the pastor had been standing only his Bible was left. Those left in the pews knelt and wept in dismay as they realized they had not been prepared.
Matthew 25 gives us Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast in which 10 young women went to a wedding. The bridegroom had not yet arrived, so the women fell asleep while waiting. The bridegroom arrived, and they arose to greet him and go into the party. Some of the women were not prepared with enough oil for their lamps and asked the others to share their oil. The second set couldn’t or they would not have had enough oil for themselves; they were prepared.
How do we prepare for His return?
We need to watch and be ready. We should not be consumed with the things of this world, but be consumed with Him. If Jesus returned at this very moment would you be ashamed of what you are doing, thinking, wearing, etc.? Although it is impossible to be perfect, exactly like Him, each day we should be striving to be as Christ-like as possible. We should be working while anxiously waiting, demonstrating our faith and doing for others by putting our faith in action.
As I close these thoughts, I feel the heaviness of the topic. This is probably the most serious I’ve been with you. But it also weighs heavy upon me to be ready, and to encourage all of you to be the same.
Some of the things I’m thankful for this week:
- The triplets got to go home!
- While initially it appeared that the rear brakes only needed to be flushed, it turns out the master cylinder was in BAD shape. That and the oil change cost nearly $400, but God kept me safe until the money was available (mom giving it to me without my asking).
- Had the time while repairs were made to see a great movie, “Ricki and the Flash.”
- Cooler days have continued. It’s still hot, but much better than being over 100.
- I have an interview scheduled for next week.
- Free ads that The Rock Church sponsors; that is how the above potential employer found me, through my ad advertising “EXCELLENT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT LOOKING FOR WORK.”
- When I went to Sprouts grocery yesterday, was greatly surprised and blessed to see my friend Suzi.
- It turns out that I was a blessing to her. She was surprised with two chance meetings with friends, one of them me, on a day that was difficult for her. Her daughter Natalie started fourth grade that day, and growing up is hard on mothers.
- There is a distribution at the food bank tonight.
- Kashi autumn wheat cereal.
- My church, Shadow Mountain Community Church, has accepted me as a door greeter on Saturday evenings. I’m so happy to represent SMCC.
- Such great pictures of the triplets
Have a blessed day, and I welcome all comments.
Grace Notes -- a thankfulness blog 