About a week ago I read this article about the possibility of another larger volcano eruption in Iceland and there is one phrase that just kind of stuck in my head.  It’s stuck in the midst of these final words of the article,

There are no clear answers, however, and even fewer predictions about what the future may hold. Volcano eruptions, like earthquakes, are difficult to predict.

“Katla can start tomorrow or in 100 years, you don’t know,” said Palsson. “All we can do is be ready.”

“all we can do is be ready”

I don’t know what prompted this, but when I read that phrase I immediately remembered something Jesus said,

You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:50 NIV)

One of the things I found funny before I was a Christian, and even today,  is how in some church circles there is so much emphasis placed on WHEN Jesus is going to return.  Some thought Y2K was the big signal (you remember that?), some thought the Gulf War was going to be the trigger.  Now, we have some even saying that Jesus return may be in 2012 because of all the talk of that being the year the Mayan calendar ends.  And don’t get me started on the pre-trib, mid-trib, and post-trib discussion.

Listen to me.  Jesus NEVER once urged his followers to try to figure out when he would be returning.  He just spent time telling them He WOULD be COMING.

He said, I WILL come again.

He said, it WILL happen when you LEAST EXPECT it.

He told them numerous times, and wanted his followers to get it, BE READY!

Now, honestly, I AM  fascinated by the fulfillment of biblical prophecy that has happened in the world over the years.  I even have a few “end times” books on my bookshelves and yes I even have a particular belief on when Jesus will return in relation to the tribulation.  But for me the MOST IMPORTANT thing is that Christ IS returning and we are to live our lives in a READINESS for his return.  What does that mean?  That means,

• I should always be looking for the opportunities to tell people about Jesus and the gospel.
• I should be keeping short accounts.
• I should be focusing on the things that really matter in life (and finding out from God what those things are).
• I should enjoy today that He has blessed me with and not worry about tomorrow.
• For that matter, realize that there is always going to be a tomorrow – and tomorrow could be the day He returns.
• I should be ANTICIPATING Christ’s return.  Honestly, I know that His return will be INCREDIBLE and I’m not frightened by it one bit.  I will confess, there are days I wish He would move a little quicker….kind of like when my kids ask from the back seat, “Dad are we there yet?”
• I should be sobered by the realization that there are many loved ones in my life WHO AREN’T READY for his return – what am I going to do about that?
• I should be thinking about how I invest my resources, wisely of course, BUT are my investments helping to advance the Kingdom of God?

I’m sure there’s other things some of you could come up with.  How about you? Are you ready?

[image from flickr]