It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready. (Luke 12:38)


I HAD A FLAT TIRE the other day. That has to be one of the most unsettling feelings. There I was in the middle island of the four-lane street, changing the tire with cars whipping by me. If that wasn’t bad enough, it was cold and rainy. As I opened the trunk and pulled out my spare tire, things got worse. It was flat! I thought I was prepared. I thought I was ready for the unexpected emergency; however, when the unexpected came, alas, I was not ready. Life is like that. Some call it Murphy’s Law; others call it bad luck. Whatever the case, being unprepared can really leave you in a bind or, in some cases, an even worse situation.

Jesus told us how important it is to be ready for His return. But here’s the catch: We do not know when He will return. It may be today, next week, or next year. We just do not know. The one thing we can be sure of? He is coming back. Sometimes the wait wears long on us, and we lose sight of what’s important. If we are not careful, we will slip into unpreparedness. So how can we stay prepared if we do not know when He will return? Do not worry about when He’s coming back; keep your lamp burning today. How do you keep the lamp burning? Stay in Scripture, prayer, fellowship, worship, service to others, and giving. These are all examples of how we can be prepared for His return. Enjoy fellowship with the Lord and obey Him today, and you will be ready for His return.

Don’t focus on the when; focus on the now, preparing for Christ’s return.

Scott Simmons is the author of the youth discipleship series iFollow and was director of youth ministry for the Church Multiplication and Discipleship Division of The Wesleyan Church.