“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)

It’s always good to be ready when we know something’s going to happen. As we see temperatures beginning to drop, we know we need to check our heating system, be sure water pipes won’t freeze and maybe stock up on some hot cocoa mix. We know winter’s coming and we need to be prepared. And what if you’re an athlete? You know the next game is coming and you need to be ready to perform. We’re all getting older too, right? There are many things we need to get ready for this process. Finances, future job plans, retirement, relationships, our health and…our eternity.

In Genesis 6, God told Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.” (V.6) Then God gave Noah several things to do, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” (v. 22). Noah got ready because he knew the flood was coming.

Then there was the parable of the ten virgins who were to prepare to go meet the bridegroom, (Matthew 25:1-13). They all had their lamps ready because they knew He was coming but the bridegroom was late and five of them were unprepared. Five got to go in but the five who had to go and make additional preparation got back late and, “the door was shut.” (V. 10). They knew He was coming but they weren’t ready. So where are we in this topic? Winter’s coming, the game is scheduled, and we’re getting older. We know these things are coming and, most of the time, we know when. But what about “the last day”? The day Jesus will be coming back to get His people to usher them into Heaven for eternity? We do not know, “neither the day nor the hour.” Are we ready? Are YOU ready? I doesn’t take as much initial preparation as finances, preparing for winter or for a sports game but the first step is crucial…accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. That step of “getting ready” is all important! After that, we go into training to be like Jesus and spread the gospel. But, when that day or hour comes, we’ll be ready! It’s coming.