Prepare

 

It is winter in New England.   Snow is coming.  We have not had a true ‘plowable’ snowstorm yet this season.  That is how we define if the snow is going to be ‘worthy’ of our time or not.  If it is plowable, we know that it is something to keep our eye on and start planning.  It does not stop us from moving in these parts!  We just plan for it.  Grocery stores are busier than usual.  People ensure they have enough groceries, more importantly the correct groceries.  I saw a lot of hot chocolate in the carts of families that were shopping! 

Preparing for winter snow takes on many different scenarios.  The plow trucks ensure there is salt and sand to spray on the roads after they plow.  Some roads actually receive pre-treatment, which helps to melt the snow as it arrives.  Folks make sure they have snow scrappers in their cars and in their containers to be utilized for home snow blowers or generators in case power goes out.  Although this is not a huge storm, preparation is the key!  Once all is done, the waiting begins.  When those first flakes fall, it is a beautiful site.

All this preparation made me think about our verse for today.  Prepared!  Are we prepared for our Jesus’ return?  Unlike the weather maps, the news reports and the apps on our phones that let us know when the snow is coming and how much we will get, we do not know when Jesus will be returning.  Our preparation for Jesus’ coming needs to be completely different than the snowstorm preparation.  We are unaware of Jesus’ timing; thus, we need to be ready at a moment’s notice.  The question stands, are we ready to meet Jesus and how can we be prepared?  I thought about this for some time and found the best answer for this in Luke 12: 35-38. Jesus shares this story of preparation, how a servant is always prepared for their owner to return. 

³⁵ “Be ready and dressed. Have your lights burning. ³⁶ Be like men who are waiting for their owner to come home from a wedding supper. When he comes and knocks on the door, they will open it for him at once. ³⁷ Those servants are happy when their owner finds them watching when he comes. For sure, I tell you, he will be dressed and ready to care for them. He will have them seated at the table. ³⁸ The owner might come late at night or early in the morning. Those servants are happy if their owner finds them watching whenever he comes.

This is such a beautiful illustration of how we need to be ready.  Have our lights been burning – are we exuding the love of Jesus to others so “they know we are Christians by our love”?  Are we opening our doors to those who are knocking?  Are we ready to care for others?  Are we HAPPY to do these things?  We prepare for many events in our lives on earth, from daily events like school and work to larger events like vacations and weddings.  Are we prepared for the biggest event of our lives, meeting our Savior?  I am going to do my best to ask this question every morning and try to live my life the day ahead as if He was coming.  What a glorious day that will be! 

Dearest Jesus, help me to be reminded every day to live my life as if you were returning soon.  May my actions, my words and my thoughts align with your expectations.  Help me to be prepared to see Your face!  Amen.