Preparation pays off

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Matthew 24:42-44

Gels? Check. Race belt? Check. Rain poncho? Check. TEAM 413 shirt? Check.... and the list goes on. Packing for a race can sometimes seem to take as much time as preparing for one. Since you can never know with complete certainty what race day may bring, it's best to be ready for anything. Wouldn't you agree? In the many runs I have been blessed to participate in, this strategy has certainly paid off. Many times I have been one of the only runners prepared for the change in the forecast or running conditions. 

While failing to be adequately prepared for a race may leave you exposed to the elements and, at worst, uncomfortable for a few miles, failing to be "ready" for the return of Christ has eternal consequences. In Matthew 24:45-51, Jesus tells the story of two servants, one who was "faithful and wise" while the owner of the house was away, and thus rewarded with being put in charge of all his possessions - the other unfaithful and "wicked", beating his fellow servants and eating and drinking with drunkards. That servant was assigned a "place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." When Christ comes, "at an hour when you do not expect him", you and I will either be prepared or we will not. There will be no do-overs and no second chances. Are you willing to risk that?

How can you be ready then? Deuteronomy 11:1 gives us the ultimate preparedness plan in one simple verse, "Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always." Always. Do that and you'll be ready at any hour.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the blessed assurance that You will return one day. And when that day comes, I pray that we will all be ready to meet you having been "faithful and wise" servants. May we keep your requirements, decrees, laws and commands always. Help us to follow you no matter the cost. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!
www.team413.org

Jeremy Camp - I will follow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V-WkO5Be8Y