If you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow, what would you do today?

Max Lucado, Because of Bethlehem

This quote and another to follow later were taken from a great little book by beloved author, Max Lucado, called Because of Bethlehem. Most of the book is focused on the birth of Jesus and the impact His coming had on this world, or should I say the lack of impact. The humans of that day, as well as those of today, were so busy scurrying to keep up with their own plans and packed schedules that they hadn’t the time to spare for a humble birth in a dirty stable. Later in the book, Max turns to Jesus’ return trip to Earth and the very profound impact it will certainly have on each and every one of us. For one day, we will come face to face with Jesus, that much is certain. The uncertainty is in the “when” of the event and in its outcome. Will He welcome us with open arms or will He not? And, if there was a grand announcement that tomorrow was the day of his return, what would you do with this last day you had on earth?

Ken has been quite focused on the seismic activity that has kept parts of Iceland in turmoil for several months. The epicenter of this activity threatens to destroy a little town called Grindavik. To most people, it would just be a tiny, unheard-of town that has had to be evacuated because of the inherent risk of eruption, but to Ken, it was home for a year when the US Air Force stationed him in Iceland. As drones buzz over the town, he can follow the roads that he walked in the early 1960s and grasp where this path of destruction is headed. It was heartbreaking this morning when the first houses in the town were ignited by the heat of erupting lava. The upside to the story is that all the residents have been evacuated. They had a warning and they moved to other places and, though they will likely never live in Grindavik again, they are alive.

Most of us can recall the devastating tornado that struck Joplin in 2011. Those people had little to no warning and many of them died. Others were left homeless and without employment but were alive. During the three years that we lived together in Florida, we learned a great deal about hurricanes and, when we returned to Missouri, people often asked about our fears concerning hurricanes. The answer is a simple one. You almost always have enough warning to get away from them. They may destroy the things in your life, but you will live to tell the stories.

Nature’s dramatic interruptions in our lives are usually manageable if we use our common sense and listen to warnings from experienced people who have studied the specific phenomenon and dealt with the actual occurrence of each type of natural disaster. Our warning systems are not infallible, but they do save a lot of lives.

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

Matthew 24:44

When Jesus comes, there won’t be a warning siren or church bells. We’ll just be face-to-face with Him. What will you do on your last day? I know that I am ready to be taken home. Oh yes, I’ve stumbled, I’ve fallen flat on my face, I’ve made so many mistakes I can’t begin to count them. But, He has picked me up every time and set me back on the right path. I know that He is my Savior and I try to live in a way that would please Him, not to humiliate or dishonor Him. And when I fail, I know I can go to Him and earnestly repent. He will forgive. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when He comes again, He will welcome me and lead me to eternity with Him.

Knowing all of that, I believe I would spend that last day visiting or talking to the people who have been an important part of my time on earth. I’d like to tell them how much they’ve meant to me, and that I care about them. I’d like to make one more effort to help them feel the love of God in their lives if they haven’t fully experienced it. I’d like to know if we’ll share a heavenly home. Perhaps I’d better get busy doing the work I was sent to do because we don’t know when He’ll come for us and I want to be as ready as I can. What would you do if you knew Jesus was coming again tomorrow?

Then do it. Live in such a way that you would not have to change your plans.

Max Lucado, Because of Bethlehem