Waiting for Tammy

The tropical storm watch was elevated to a hurricane warning when Hurricane Tammy metamorphosed into a Category 1 storm.

All weather and governmental advisories pled with residents to prepare for the storm. For some, that meant grocery shopping, stocking up on food and other essentials, or filling their vehicles with fuel. For others, it meant relocating to a safe shelter.

Hurricane shutters were activated, and we battened down. We had experienced the wrath of previous hurricanes. We knew what to expect.

Then we waited. The rain started on Friday and fell spasmodically as the day transitioned into night, but there were no wind gusts. Sabbath was the same. We wondered if the hurricane had changed its course but learned it had slowed down and was scheduled to reach the Leeward Islands in the northeastern Caribbean Sea by Saturday night.

We waited, listening for the wind, but none came. It occurred to me that there were many similarities between waiting for the hurricane and waiting for Jesus’ second coming. The meteorologists gave the coordinates, informed us of Tammy’s movements, and predicted possible times it would make landfall. We expected the hurricane, and we prepared for it. Jesus’ second coming has been prophesied. We know that the gospel must be preached in all the world, and then Jesus will come. Like the hurricane, we know the conditions that will signal His return, but unlike the hurricane, we do not know the date or time.

So we must prepare and be ready. Preparation for Jesus’ return does not require hurricane shutters or shelters or grocery shopping.

Our preparation is an internal surrender to Jesus and our commitment to follow His guidance, which will be manifested externally. Jesus is the Way.

We follow Him, surrender daily to Him, and grow in our faith. When hurricanes change course and weaken or fizzle out, do we regret the time and effort we gave to prepare for the storm? Never! So let us prepare for His return and stay ready, busily engaged in our Master’s business. Let Jesus find us ready when He comes to take His children home. We are almost there!