Are You Ready?
by Malcolm Wood
I was awake earlier than usual the other day after a disturbed night with our four-year old granddaughter, who was having a sleep-over at our house. When eventually things went quiet again, I realised that it was early morning, so I decided to sit in the living room and wait for the day to begin. So certain was I that daylight would come, that I opened the curtains and waited and watched. As I did so, it struck me how sure I was that the sun would rise. Never a doubt crossed my mind that it wouldn’t. Well why should I doubt it? It’s been rising every day of my life, and I calculate that must be nearly 26,000 times. Although I haven’t witnessed it every time, I’ve known that the sun has risen, and, even on a cloudy day, when it’s not visible, I’ve appreciated and benefited from the daylight it provides.
On this occasion, as I continued to wait, my assurance was confirmed, and my patience rewarded. Very gradually, the darkness once again gave way to the daylight, and night became day. Such is the wonder of our God’s creation.
While I watched, I began to think about the return of the Lord Jesus, the ‘Light of the World’. Although the Bible says it won’t be a gradual appearance like the sunrise, but will be a sudden one, it does assure us that He will return. We read how the Lord’s first coming to earth was predicted many years previously, and how that came about 2,000 years or so ago, something we’ll be celebrating at Christmas. Should we not also be waiting and preparing ourselves, and our churches, for His return with anticipation, and with the assurance that He’ll come back because the Bible says He will (Acts 1:11), and Jesus Himself said He would (John 14 :1-4).
As we hear, watch, and read the news, and are made aware of world events, and compare it with what the bible says about the times preceding the return of the Lord Jesus, it would seem that that time may not be far away. There are many who share this point of view, and are busy helping to build the Kingdom of God, and preparing the bride (the church) for her bridegroom (Jesus) (Ephesians 5:21-33). Others seem to be asleep and unaware of the urgency of the times in which we live. For them, in their complacency, it seems to be ‘business as usual’.
At this significant time, let’s all pray that the whole church of Christ will be stirred, and rise to the challenge of the times, and will be prepared, waiting (not wanting), ready for the return of their bridegroom. He will be returning for a bride ‘without spot or blemish’ (Ephesians 5:27). Let’s each do our part to ensure that’s true. Jesus says, ‘So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or the hour of my return’ (Matthew 25:13). Are you ready?
‘Weary was our heart with waiting, and the night-watch seemed so long, But his triumph-day is breaking, and we hail it with a song’ (from There's a light upon the mountains by Henry Burton, 1840-1930).
Prayer: Thank You, dear Lord, that You’re coming back. Please help me to be ready for that great day, and to help others to be ready also. Amen
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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