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Verse:Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. —Matthew 24:44, KJV
As I write this devotional, the world is in the midst of a pandemic that has affected more than 150 nations and caused the deaths of tens of thousands worldwide. Scores more are hospitalized and on ventilators —if they are available.
In some areas, the sick is lying on mats in corridors in world-class hospitals because the beds are all full. Makeshift morgues are being erected to take the overflow of the dead, which are stacked up outside these morgues.
World leaders, church leaders, physicians, nurses, and other health professionals are also succumbing to this pandemic caused by a coronavirus.
This disease has crippled the global economy, grounded airplanes, stopped cruise ships, and canceled major events, such as the Olympic Games and even my denomination’s global quinquennial conference session.
It feels like the end of the world as millions are self-quarantining at home with shuttered playgrounds, beaches, parks, schools, and universities. In some places, curfews and armed guards enforce these mandates.
As I write, feeling perfectly healthy, I realize that thousands of others who are dead or sick felt just as I did only one week ago.
So now, I have extra food and water in the house, just in case. I am keeping socially and physically distant, just in case. I have an arsenal of disinfectants and wipes at the entrance to my home, just in case.
And I am building up my immune system, just in case. This experience has made me wonder how ready I am for Christ’s second coming.
Am I as prepared for that event as I am for COVID-19? As I examine my life, I ask myself, have my sins been washed in the blood of the Lamb? Am I full of the fruit of the Spirit? Am I demonstrating love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, meekness, and temperance? What have I done to lead others to Christ? Am I looking and longing for His return? I want to confidently declare that I am forgiven and clothed in the robe of Christ’s righteousness, just in case. I have, by my life and influence, pointed out the way of salvation to others, just in case. Unworthy though I am, I pray that Christ will help me to be ready and stay ready to go home with Him, just in case.
Annette Walwyn Michael