Matthew 24: 36-44 "Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing -- until the flood hit and swept everything away" (vv. 38-39, MSG).
Are you at all, ready yet? In these early days of Advent, it's not as common with 'us' Christians as it is toward the final week or so before Dec. 25th, to ask fellow believers if "they're ready or done yet". Of course the question is more about the shopping, gift-wrapping, cleaning, baking, decorating, etc. that many of us have carried on as our version of Christmas, than the same query being posed in this week's Worship text. Therein, Jesus is speaking, more so to warn us: to be prepared, than stimulate our calculating and predicting the when of His return. Admitting my passive-nature, I believe it a good thing not to know the return date of Christ! Half a lifetime back I chose my eternal destiny on a Marist Center - Framingham, MA weekend retreat in 1986. Are you able to pinpoint your conversion / enlightenment or perhaps you're just recently ready, to begin a closer walk? While my existence since '86 has not been all roses, I better understand my tendencies. Admittedly, I currently have two offspring relationships that deserve greater depth, a character blemish that's best rooted out via God's light and mindset and also a service / work situation where patience and prayer sustain me in hopes of being used like Jesus to alleviate my perception of dire dysfunction. As I pen that last one, I ask: 'am I truly trying to discern His will? Or am I doing what I want for God?' Although I may commonly react in my own strength, I now know from where my help and best response comes. So, I inquire (again): are you ready? I'm not sure I am, but I know I'm in the battle. There's work still to do here, I encourage -- do what you can! There was something both simple and extravagant in our Pastor's story of the recovering alcoholic's making and handing out sandwiches to the homeless after worship. The flood waters seem to be rising and I strongly doubt there will be any two minute warning or last minute bargaining or repentance chances.
Grace for the Moment, Kevin T. for the FFC Deacons.....