Let’s Be Ready

Dear friend,

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

When I was in college I found a job working as a maintenance painter at the school I attended. The problem was, I did not know anything about painting. During my first week on the job I came in to work on Saturday morning. I was happy there was no one else around, because I quickly made a huge mess of myself, the painting tools, and shop sink. I frantically applied solvents and tried to wash the mess away. The more I scrubbed the bigger the mess became. Soon, I was so engrossed in my attempt to clean up that I did not hear the footsteps of another person behind me. “Stephen?” came a voice. I spun around and discovered my new boss looking at my painted hands, clothes, sink, floor, and tools. I was surprised, stunned, and embarrassed. All I could do was croak out his name, “Larry!”

Thankfully, Larry was kind. In fact, in the years that followed he taught me to paint, plumb, weld, and repair all kinds of things. However, I still remember the shame of the moment when he surprised me in our maintenance shop. I could not help but think of it when pondering the meaning of this verse recently:

“And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him at His coming” (1 John 2:28).

The verse is about the second coming of Jesus. He will surprise us! We will call out His name, “Lord!” But, have you ever wondered what you might be doing at that moment? Friends, let us live in such a way that we may greet our Savior and King without embarrassment and shame. Let’s be ready!

Your servant,

Stephen

Rev. Stephen St. John
Pastor/Elder