Matthew 24:42, 44
“Stay awake! You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”
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Somebody was again caught, literally and figuratively speaking, sleeping. The recent Manila bus hostage-taking again put the Philippines in international limelight and scrutiny. Many believed that from the negotiation to the final assault stage, everyone has done it with their eyes closed. They have failed to consider the safety of each and everyone because of fear and unpreparedness in their hearts. They have underestimated the fact that it could reach a bloody end, and instead took it easy, until it was too late.
Same is true when we are caught sleeping during the Lord’s second coming. This only means that our hearts are closed to the presence of God in our lives – due to fear and unpreparedness. Our spirit is tired of doing what we believe are important things and totally ignored the Lord. We underestimated the fact that the Lord would come when we least expect it, until it was too late.
When we’re really sleepy, staying awake is extremely hard to do. We all die, yes, and there is nothing we can do about it. What we have is a choice on how to live life. We can live well, or we can live badly. We can forever shut our eyes to the goodness of the Lord or stay awake to the presence and arrival of Jesus in our hearts, our lives and our actions.
May we awaken to the presence of God in the wonders of His creation, in His people, and in all of us. May we be always on guard, prepared, vigilant and awake to life so that we do not squander the life that God has given us.
Let us pray +
Almighty Father, through Your Spirit in me, strengthen me to persevere. When I am feeling sleepy and weary in doing the right things, remind me that the ways of sin are pathways to destruction. Do not let me, in a moment of weakness, lose all that I have gained, that I may stay awake and help me to endure as a good soldier of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen +
I will praise your name for ever, Lord.
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