In a phone conversation only a day before, a friend and I arranged an afternoon of fun, going to the mall to shop and eat out. But when the doorbell rang on the appointed day, I had completely forgotten our plans. My friend and her children showed up at my house just as I began a huge closet-cleaning project. Now I’d have to finish the job I started, stopping briefly for a lunch of leftovers and water. Not exactly what I’d been looking forward to earlier!
My oversight was reminding me of the story in Luke that tells of two people asleep at night in bed and of two women grinding grain. In both stories one is taken, one is left; one is ready, and the other is not. Jesus tells His listeners how the people of Noah’s day and those in Sodom and Gomorrah were caught off-guard. I want Him to find me waiting in anticipation of His return, not preoccupied, distracted, and unaware of His coming.
Because of Jesus’ love, He has made me ready. I wait in hope that is not a wish; it is the fulfillment of a promise: He will return.