15 Mar, 2011

Be ready

Yet another tsunami-stirring earthquake has rattled our planet and caused images of devastation that are hard to fathom -- and hard to avoid.  The news is covered with updates of Japan and other Pacific shorelines.  People are shaking their heads and speculating at the number of displaced, missing, and dead. Some even say it is a sign that the end of the world is near.  Even with the most advanced warning system on the planet, no one in Japan could have been fully prepared for what occurred a few days ago.

Image courtesy of wikipedia.org

Matthew 24: 36-44

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.  Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

What does God’s Story scripture teach us about being ready?

Jesus himself told us that no one will know the day or the hour of his return, yet when it happens we will all be aware of how suddenly it comes.  When that happens, it will be too late to begin studying his Word or pledging to tell others about him. 

How can I connect today’s God’s Story scripture to my life?

How ready are you?  We don’t know the day or the hour, but we should live as if we know it will be tomorrow.  When you meet Jesus, will you be confident that you were ready, or will you be making excuses about why you weren’t?

How can I connect today’s God’s Story scripture and my story to others?

People are talking about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  Some will speculate that the increasing number of natural disasters we have seen in recent years is a sign that the world will soon be ending.  Ask God to give you boldness to share your hope in times like this, and how we can be confident to meet Jesus because he has given us His Word to be prepared for his return.

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