READY FOR THE RETURN

Matthew 24:42-46
42 Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 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. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him. 45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him so doing when he returns.

Here's an update on the deployment of my GI buddies (Campus Journal, January 30, 2003). So far, they have made it back safely. Other soldiers have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country, but the soldiers I know best have not faced that test yet.

One of my best friends, Brandon, left his prized possession--a '97 Mustang 5.0--in my care. The plan was for me to register the car, update the insurance, and get it serviced right before he returned.

So he calls December 20: He might be on the next plane out of Afghanistan! False alarm.

He calls again: Now it looks like he will be leaving on January 3. So I get everything done. He e-mails: delayed again.

As I write this article at the end of January, Brandon still hasn't left Afghanistan. And even when he makes it to Germany, the returning GIs are piling up there. So it might still take a while--but I'm ready.

If only I were that ready for our Savior to return. Jesus Himself warned the disciples that wise people keep their house in order, anticipating the imminent return of their master. Unfortunately, we allow ourselves to be lulled into semiconscious complacency. Our words offer lip service to the belief that Jesus will return soon; our actions say otherwise.

Books like the Left Behind series have increased interest in the endtimes. Not everyone agrees with their theology, but the vigilance the books promote is valuable. Am I recommending that you sell everything and head for the hills to wait for the Lord? I guess that depends on how nice the hills are.

You can wait for the Lord right where you are. It's not a matter of stopping everything you're doing. As you do things, consider their worth in the context of approaching eternity.

I know I'll be happy when I see Brandon return. But when I see Jesus . . . man, that is a whole 'nuther matter. I want to be ready! --John Carvalho

DESTINATION POINTS

* Do I know someone who is in the military and has deployed or might deploy to another country? How will I feel when my friend returns?
* In what ways does my life show I am ready/not ready for Jesus to return?
* How will I change to become better prepared?

LINKS:
What Can We Know About The Second Coming?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1204

What Can We Know About The Endtimes?
http://www.discoveryseries.org/q1201

bottom line: Watch and pray--Jesus may return today!

soul journey