Staying Ready

Scripture – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3: ¹Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ²for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Reflection: Some people get really caught up in studying the end times. They devote their lives to figuring out when Christ will return. All my life I’ve heard various people point out that the signs all point to it happening very soon.

Yet the direction today is very clear: Don’t be concerned about times and dates. The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly. It will be a surprise. All we know for sure is, it will come.

My call is to live today. As part of that, yes, I make plans for tomorrow. I look ahead. I expect to live for several more years. And I expect to be involved in some form of ministry for all those years.

At the same time, if Christ comes today, I’m ready. My faith and trust in Him are all I need. Whether life as I know it ends by my death or Christ’s return, I keep myself ready.

How about you? On what hope are you standing today?