Are You Ready?
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
Isaiah 55:6 NLT
Recently, I had a dream that Jesus was returning soon! It was a surprisingly happy and positive dream! It was similar to the feel of a wedding reception celebration filled with festive foods, confetti in the air, flowers and cheerful music. There were lots of happy faces, people hugging and greeting each other!
Often, the focus of the Lord’s return are the dramatic negative events listed in Revelation. I think the Christian community (me, included) forgets to center our attention on the joyous moment of the Lord’s return. The moment when everyone is caught up together in the air and we will always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17). That moment of being united with the Lord and each other was the focal point in my dream, and it was beyond amazing!
Although only a dream, this leads to very real questions: If Jesus were to return today, are you ready? If not, what do you need to put in place, so you are ready? What would you do first?
This passage in Isaiah comes to mind…
Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously… For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:6-7, 9 NLT).
First seek the Lord and pray. Ask Him to prepare your heart for Jesus’ return. Turn away from wrong things, turn to the Lord instead. Ask God to forgive you and He will.
Recognize and know that God’s plans and thoughts are very different from your plans and thoughts. His way of preparing you for Jesus to return will be a contrast from what you naturally would think of.
And consider this passage about Jesus…
When they had gone to buy some (oil), the groom arrived, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut (Matthew 25:10 CSB).
Entry into the kingdom of God is open to you right now. Seek the Lord to enter His kingdom today, but… don’t wait. There will be a time when that door will shut, and the opportunity to seek the Lord will no longer be available. Ask the Lord to help you prepare for His return.
You may know of others who don’t know the Lord or seek Him, so… who can you tell how Jesus changed your life?
Father, in the quiet of my heart, You speak to me whispering, “Child, the door is open to seek Me right now. Share this truth with others.” Lord, draw me close to You and lead me to tell others who still need to hear about You. Give me the opportunity to share the truth of Jesus while the door is still open and prepare their hearts to receive You. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
Stacy A. Davis
