Be Prepared!

Have you ever had a dream that you were in a public place such as a school, a shopping center or even a church building when you suddenly realized you were missing an important article of clothing such as your shirt or pants?  This is a rather common dream especially for those who interact with the public on a regular basis.  According to a book on understanding dreams I once read this particular dream is a reflection of our feeling unprepared for an upcoming event.

We recognize the importance of being prepared.  When we leave for our jobs we check and double-check that we have everything we will need that day.  When we have plans for dinner we call the day before to make sure we will be there at the right time.  When we leave for vacation we make sure the house is locked up and there is gas in the car.  We need to be prepared for these things but there is something greater we must prepare for.

Paul had something to say about being prepared for the day of the Lord’s return. "Now as to the times and the epochs brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you brethren are not in darkness that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and son of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith on love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thess 5:1-11).

Are you prepared for that glorious day?  If not, why not?

Yours in the love of Christ,

Thomas Sneed