“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

“But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
Luke 12:35-40

Anytime I travel, I carry a backpack filled with supplies. I usually have cheese and peanut butter crackers. (I don’t want to be hungry.) I usually have a disposable rain poncho. (I don’t want to get wet.) More recently I have included a small magnifying glass. (I don’t want to be confused by the fine print.) And I always have a flashlight in my backpack. (I don’t want to fumble around in the dark.)

I hope I am displaying that same diligence as I am traveling through life.

Jesus told a parable to remind people to be dressed and ready for action, for the return of the Son of Man. Ever since his post-resurrection departure, followers of Jesus have awaited His return. We are told to live our lives with such a degree of preparation that we will be alert and ready to join Him at the banquet when He comes.

Knowing the Lord through worship, praise, prayer, Bible study, and joyful service are good ways to prepare for our face to face meeting.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thanks for promising that I will see You face to face in the future. Whether it be at my place or Yours, help me to be prepared for that banquet. Amen.