Breaking News: A Storm's Coming - Get Prepared!

Photo credit: Lori Stewart via FB

I’ve lived all my life in the northeast area of North Carolina. We have been through many hurricanes, tropical storms and nor’easters. We’ve even had a couple of blizzards. It never fails that as soon as the forecast is made that a storm may be in our area the news begins telling people how to prepare for the storm. The need of so many gallons of water per person, per day; non-perishable food items, flashlights, batteries, boarding up windows, picking up lawn items that will most likely blow around and sometimes evacuations. There is a rush on the grocery stores to buy water and many other items. The shelves are wiped out of the items that people feel they will need to survive. They always wait until they are told a storm is coming – get prepared.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 - ^“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.”

Many people have tried to predict when Jesus will return. He taught the disciples to be prepared because it was unknown. In this passage, Paul was teaching the same thing. If we know that we have a storm coming we have time to get prepared. If we were told a burglar would be coming, he would definitely be met with a surprise! But we aren’t told of the time, day or hour of Jesus’ return, but we know it’s coming – we should prepare! However, we tend to wait until it’s too late and we find the empty shelves.

I think the problem is we look inward rather than upward. We get caught up in our day-to-day lives. We run errands, go to work, run our kids around to their activities and we forget that we have an urgent matter at hand. There are friends, family, neighbors, strangers, people we might not care too much for, and honestly, some of us “christians” that when the day comes of Jesus’ return will face an eternity of judgment.

Are you prepared? Are those around you prepared? We need to be about our Father’s business and make sure the world and ourselves are prepared for that day – no matter when it may be!

I want to leave you with a powerful piece of writing. From all accounts I can find, it was written by a young pastor in Africa. It was found amongst his papers after he was martyred.

“I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!”

A storm’s coming, we’re not sure of the day. It’s time to prepare.

Crystal Owens

Crystal is a speaker for the Fabulous You Conference. She’s married with 2 girls. Crystal is currently teaching a weekly adult Bible study and a monthly Bible study for Women. She has a passion for reaching youth and a heart for missions.