“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Luke 12:40

 

Some years ago, I went on a deer hunt on a Wildlife management area with a friend. We had looked around for a place to hunt beforehand, but the next morning when the hunt began, my confidence dropped as hunters were everywhere and especially in the area where I was planning to hunt. Needing to find a place that wasn’t crowded with hunters, I continued down the logging path until I came to an area where there were no other vehicles, got my gear together and eased into the woods. I quickly realized that the reason no other hunters were there was that the woods were so thick it was nearly impossible to hunt. I slipped through the thick brush until I was clear of the road and sat on the ground beside a suitable tree. I couldn’t see much further for a shot than 30 feet in most directions. My confidence in the spot or the potential of the hunt was quite low, but I expected to enjoy a nice quiet morning in the woods with the Lord.

​

After a while I pulled out my Bible and a few commentaries along with my notepad and began studying for my message for the coming Sunday. As I studied Luke 2:35-40, I read, “Be dressed in readiness…” and “the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.” I thought to myself, :That’s just how deer hunting can be. Some of the best bucks I have killed came when I was not expecting them.” Minutes later I heard the sound of something running through the woods right toward me. A doe and a decent 8 pointer passed just a couple of yards behind me. I probably wouldn’t have shot either, but I sure wasn’t ready. Moments later I heard the grunt of another buck coming from the direction they came from. In less than a minute a big 10 pointer was standing 15 feet in front of me broadside. I was ready this time and took a buck with the largest antlers I had taken up until that time. The next year I missed the opportunity to take a good 8 pointer because I dozed off in a similar scenario.  

 

Like those deer, Jesus will come at a time when you do not expect Him. Today as I write I find myself trying to get ready for the Ice storm that is threatening us. In many ways I am prepared and in others I am not so prepared. I sure wish I had already repaired the generator that stopped working during the hurricane. I also wish that I had taken the time to get hoses for the propane heaters that I have for a time like this. More extra kerosene on hand would also be nice. All the stations were out when I tried to fill my jug this morning. Otherwise, we are in pretty good shape…at least as good of shape as you can be for an ice storm. I suppose that I would have been more urgent about getting these things done if I had known the date of the next ice storm. The last one was in 2014.

 

Sadly, many are not ready for the coming of Christ. There is far more to lose if we are unprepared for His coming than if we are unprepared for a deer to come by or for an ice storm that interrupts our comfort. In Luke 12, Jesus tells us to be ready by “being dressed in readiness.” I believe this speaks of salvation as we clothe ourselves with Christ’s righteousness through calling on Him for forgiveness and salvation. And He tells us to be ready by “keeping our lamps lit.” I believe this speaks of faithful, godly living. That we keep our light shining so that when He comes, He will see that light and will be glorified by it. May we walk in preparedness, and may we warn others of the imminence of His return that they too might be ready when He comes.