Are You Ready?

During the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas I had an email from a friend of mine who lives in Jerusalem. She described how, in the hot weather, one night she decided to leave off some of her clothes, which, when there were possibilities of air raids, she always wore, so that she would be decent to go into the shelter which was in a friend’s basement. Inevitably, just as she was really fast asleep, the siren went off, and she woke in panic trying to find the extra layers. In her hurry and the darkness she struggled to do so and almost didn’t make it to the shelter in time. She told this story as a parable, relating it to the one that Jesus tells about the ten virgins in Matthew Chapter 25.

As we see the turmoil in the Middle East, not just in Israel, it would seem that the end times are really upon us, and many are looking for the imminent return of our Lord Jesus. But will we be ready or are we sleeping?

We desperately need bold men and women in the churches, to warn us of the dangers ahead, and to prepare us for what’s to come. It was encouraging to read of a woman, working among the refugees somewhere in the Middle East, that people are really seeing the difference between the violence of the Islamic State and the love and gentleness of the Christians and the support that they give, not just to other Christians, but to those around them. It’s making many of other faiths think and question their faith. As the darkness gets darker, so the light of Jesus needs to shine more brightly.

How is your own light doing?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You that You are the Light of the World. May that light shine brightly in the darkness, and may the light of Your Holy Spirit shine brightly in me. Help me to be ready and strong for whatever lies ahead. In Your precious name, Amen.