“I was out in the front yard yesterday doing some weeding in the flower beds,” Stan commented, “and I saw some of the neighborhood children playing in a way that reminded me of a warning Jesus gave to His disciples.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“The children were playing Hide and Seek,” Stan said. “I saw one of the children cover her eyes and count to one hundred while the other children ran off to hide.”
“I suppose she then went looking for the other children,” I responded. “What about that reminded you of anything other than a game for children?”
“When the girl finished counting to one hundred,” Stan replied, “before she went looking for the other children, she shouted, ‘Ready or not here I come!’”
“So?”
“Jesus talked about that,” Stan replied. “And I’m fairly sure that one day He’s going to say the same thing, or something close to it.”
“In what way?” I asked.
“Jesus is coming back,” Stan replied. “He has made that abundantly clear.”
“When is He coming back?” I asked.
“No one on this side of heaven knows when that’s going to be, but it’s a fact and we need to be prepared. It’s not going to like the children’s game where the ones who are not prepared can go hide and hope He doesn’t find them.”
“So,” I replied, “if I’m ready, I can look forward to His return; but if I’m not ready, He’s coming anyway.”
“That’s how it seems to me,” Stan responded.
“If people aren’t ready,” I asked, “will they have time to get ready?”
“There’s plenty of time to get ready,” Stan replied, “but, I’m afraid, time to do that will be over once Jesus says, ‘Ready or not, here I come.”
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Bible verses to consider:
Be on guard that your hearts may not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying in order that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:34-36.
But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is. Mark 13:32-33.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for giving Jesus in the first place so that all who believe can look forward to life with you eternally when it’s time. Thank you, too, for the warning that Jesus is coming back at a time only you know and that it is essential that all prepare for His second coming. I confess that too often I do not bother to tell others about that truth. Please forgive my lack of caring for those people who do not know they need to be ready. Please help me in following every step of your lead so that I make known the truth to each person you bring before me, the truth that Jesus came in the first place, that He’s coming back, and that they need to prepare so they are ready. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the glorious name of Him who is coming back. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted the truth that Jesus came in the first place to provide the way for you to spend eternity in God’s presence when it’s time? If no, Why? If you do have the assurance of salvation, how are you doing with telling others that Jesus came the first time and that He’s coming back so they need to be prepared? If you sense changes are needed in what you tell others, how are those changes going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 