This past weekend a tropical storm was bearing down on south Florida, so we dutifully prepared for the possibility of high winds and heavy rain, which made for a busy weekend. It was too short notice to get the coconuts, that can become cannonballs in high winds, trimmed from the palm trees, but there were countless other ways to get ready. We tied down the chairs and paddleboards and took in everything the wind could toss, like the cushions, torches, and my shell collection sitting on the table. We checked our flashlights, lanterns, and supply of batteries in case the power went out and we made an extra trip to the grocery store to make sure we had enough provisions for at least a few days. All this planning for a possible storm made me question how well I am preparing myself for a far more important event – the day when there will be no more storms in my life. The day when I leave this world and I meet Jesus face-to-face. Matthew 24:44 says, “Therefore you must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Later on in that chapter, Matthew brings this type of preparedness to life for us in a story about a master and a servant. The master selects a wise servant to carefully manage his household in his absence. The servant can faithfully carry out his tasks, be found “so doing when the master returns,” and be blessed, or he can fall into the temptations around him, mismanaging the affairs of the household and be cast out when the master returns.

Christ died on the cross for our sins so that we could be reconciled to the Father. That is the good news of our redemption, but salvation doesn’t end at the foot of the cross. We need to live according to the Lord’s expectations, honoring and loving God above all, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Now in His divine wisdom, God understands this is not easy for us, and so when we accept Jesus into our lives, His Holy Spirit pours into us to guide and direct us throughout our lives. Let’s live in Him and make Him our ‘go-to’ guy on every decision. He will never lead us astray. He will see that we are prepared for that day of glory when we meet Jesus face-to-face, and we pray that on that day, the Lord will find us “so doing.”

Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Matt 24:46

Be blessed!