Be prepared!
by Lindsey Hanekom
Here in the UK we have experienced one the harshest winters of modern times with unprecedented snow falls and plummeting temperatures. Much of the country ground to a near halt as the local authorities struggled to keep the roads, airports and railways clear.
As you could have expected, here in the north of Scotland we received much more snow than in the south of England, and it stayed for longer. Yet it was the roads in England that caused the most trouble with the wintry weather.
Reflecting on why that’s so is simple: Scotland’s prepared! With a fleet of gritters and ploughs on 24 hour standby, local farmers equipped with plough attachments for their tractors, mini-tractors with ploughs and gritters for the pavements, and a well-trained team of workers, Scotland’s roads and pavements are kept relatively clear and safe.
Living here, we simply expect the snow. We know it’s going to come at some point and we’re well prepared for its arrival.
The parable about the virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom talks of being prepared for Jesus’ return. We’re not just to think His return is something that may happen, but we’ll deal with that when it comes. We’re to live our lives knowing that Jesus will return again and this time He will be returning for His Bride.
Can we honestly say that if Jesus came today we would be in a position to respond immediately? Would we be able to look at Jesus, face to face and say, “I come in total humility, clothed only in your righteousness, through the work of Your Cross”? Or would we need time to work through a sin issue, forgive someone or ask for forgiveness?
Let’s live our lives prepared for His return, for He is coming again and He’s looking for a pure and spotless Bride.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, let me not be complacent about Your second coming. Help me to live my life in such a way that I’ll be prepared for Your arrival, any time. Amen.
Lindsey Hanekom Lindsey has worked at all of our UK centres over the years and has settled at Ellel Scotland with her husband, Johann and their two young children, Kyle and Zoe. As part of the Leadership Team at Ellel Scotland, Lindsey has a heart for the deeply broken as she oversees the prayer ministry and is an established and passionate teacher with Ellel. In her spare time, Lindsey enjoys the natural world, particularly the ocean, and is trained as a specialist medic to assist stranded and injured marine mammals.
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