Listen

“Therefore, stay alert! You don’t know what day the Lord is coming. But you understand that if the head of the house knew at what time the thief would come, he would keep alert and wouldn’t allow the thief to break into his house. Therefore, you also should be prepared, because the Human One will come at a time you don’t know.”

Matthew 24:42-44

Think

We’ve all been getting ready for something most of our life. Ready for school, work, for the test, ready to start the day, ready for the promotion, to fall in love, have children, pastor a church, etc. Being ready makes us feel good – it’s confidence in our preparedness. Yet despite this, we all know what it is to have unreadiness, to be uneasy, unsure, and unsuspecting.

As much as we’ve gotten ready for life, are we ready for God? Jesus describes readiness here as someone being on alert as if a thief were to break into their home. The thief’s arrival without due preparation is too late. Thus, the Lord’s visitation is for those who are alert, who are ready, prepared, and standing watch.

Since Jesus teaches that this day is coming, how might we go about making certain that we and even our households are ready for such a day as this?

Miriam Phillips-Stephens

Pray

Lord, I have made ready for many events in my life, but none are more important than being ready for your appearance.

May your Spirit bring urgency and guidance in preparing my heart as I watch in hope for your day.

Amen.

Go

Believe that God’s word is active in you and in the world that God has not ceased to love.