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REFLECTION

When the president is visiting an institution, we realise that a lot of work goes into ensuring that, when he comes, he will feel very welcome in the environment and among the institution’s workers. Similarly, before Jesus returns the final time in His full glory, His servants are expected to prepare for His coming. This brings us to our theme,, “Living prepared: embracing spiritual readiness for Christ”. To prepare means to be ready. Spiritual readiness refers to being prepared for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We shall reflect on the facts that, depending on our spiritual preparedness, the day of the Lord will either be a day of agony or joy.

Beloved in the Lord, depending on our preparedness, the day of the Lord will either be a day of agony or joy. Paul assures us that, whether we are alive or sleeping (dead), so long as we are prepared for the day of the Lord by living or dying in Christ Jesus, we shall experience great joy and salvation. Paul reaffirms this fact when he wrote, “According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore, encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). However, if we are unprepared like the foolish five virgins who failed to carry extra oil for their lamps, we shall experience rejection and agony on the day of the Lord. Jesus greatly encourages us to be like the five wise virgins who were ready or prepared for the coming of the bridegroom and were made to share in His joy when he arrived. “The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later, the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. (Matthew 25:10-13). Paul also admonishes us, “But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. ” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6). In the spirit of preparedness, we must pray to God to “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalms 90:12). Beloved in the Lord, how prepared are you if you are called upon to render an account of your life today? Are you spiritually prepared for the day of the Lord? To remain prepared for the day of the Lord, Paul admonished us “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2). Again, we have been greatly admonished by Jesus in Revelation 2:10-11, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. 11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The victorious one will not be hurt at all by the second death. (Revelation 2:10-11).

In summary, we have discovered that depending on our preparedness, the day of the Lord will either be a day of agony or joy. Let’s remain faithful and spiritually prepared always, for we do not know the time and day the Lord will come.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit empower us to remain prepared even as we await the day of the Lord. Amen.