There is a lot to take note of in the chapters from today’s reading, and it’s easy to get caught up in the speculations of end time prophecies. However, one thing should receive special attention: the return of Christ. The fact is, many of the signs referred to have been going on for a lengthy period of time. We have earthquakes, and they seem to be intensifying as time progresses. Other natural disasters are occurring and wreaking havoc upon people. Yes, these things have been going on for centuries, but they do seem to be happening more regularly and on a grander scale. Nonetheless, we are not called to watch for signs; we’re called to watch for Christ. And just as I wrote about yesterday, we need to be diligent in that watchfulness.
I am reminded of the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton, the great explorer from England who went to the Antarctic. He left some men on Elephant Island with a promise to return to pick them up. However, the water iced over, and he was delayed in coming back. It took four tries before Shackleton was able to retrieve his men, and when he arrived, he found the men ready and waiting. Astonished at their preparedness, he asked how they knew he was coming. As the story goes, every morning the leader of the group of men packed up his stuff and said, “Get your things ready, boys, the boss may come today.” We would be wise to live under the same assumption: we need to be ready because the boss may come today.
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