Today’s 333 Devotional: “Are You Ready?”

When I was in business, I would leave telling my staff that I would be gone for so many hours or so many days. Sometimes I would return prior to when I said only to find things not the way I left them. I would see a scramble to get merchandise put away and paperwork accomplished.

My employees didn’t think that it was fair, but for me it was to see if they would keep the store and procedures consistent with our policy of cleanliness and service.

Someone once told me the reason this generally happens is from the old adage, “When the cats away the mice will play.”

Jesus knew this well. He was leaving, going back to the Father, but He never indicated the time of His return, much to the chagrin of the His followers.

They asked, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3)

But instead of telling them when, He told them to watch.

“Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming – in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning – lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch.” (Mark 13:35-37)

No one knows the day or the hour of His return. The question, however, isn’t when He’ll return, as it is will he find us “playing” or diligently “serving.”

Will we be wisely investing what He has given, hearing upon His return, “Well done good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your lord?” (Matthew 25:23)

Or will He find that we’ve hidden it going about doing our own thing, investing in our own kingdom instead of the Kingdom of God.

Let Paul’s admonition be ours today: “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5)