Articles
Are You Ready?
We have a wonderful song in our book with that phrase as the main thought in the chorus. That song is reminding us that there is a great day coming for all, a day which may be bright or sad. The Father’s judgment will be carried out and everyone will continue to their eternal destination. It will be up to each of us to do everything within our power to prepare for that day. Our wonderful Father has given us everything we need to be ready (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:3-4). Through these verses we see that through the scripture, we are armed with the knowledge that makes us complete, makes us ready for every good work, and gives us all things that pertain to life and godliness.
Along the way, we will be challenged, tempted and tried to go the easy way, popular way, or the indulgent way. There is nothing inherently wrong with something being easy, popular or indulgent, except when it conflicts with God’s word. How can we be possibly be prepared to know all of these situations? Only God’s word can give us that knowledge and then we must put it into practice. Spending time studying God’s word, praying, and meditating on spiritual things (2 Tim 2:15) will arm us.
God has also provided us with another resource to prepare us for eternity and that is our Christian brothers and sisters. Acts 2:44 shows how the early church came together with common needs and helped each other grow. These early Christians were together, a challenge we are currently facing with the COVID-19 crisis. It is much easier for us to help one another when we can be physically closer, but we should not let the physical distancing limitations prevent our communication and looking out for each other
It is very encouraging to receive cards or calls from one another just letting someone know they are in our thoughts. It can make you feel just as good conveying those thoughts of love and concern to others as well. It is also an opportunity to find out if someone is struggling, physically, emotionally or spiritually.
We presently have an opportunity to grow much closer as a result of this crisis through our demonstration of love and concern. To steal a phrase from a politician … “Let’s not let a good crisis go to waste.” In this case, our COVID-19 crisis has given us an opportunity that maybe we didn’t see before or feel as strong a need to fulfill, but we should be looking for ways to reach out and connect via the internet, phone, or cards to strengthen our members. We should also be ready to continue that closeness once we return to normal.
Are you prepared to do that? Can you build a fellow Christian up and help them out? If you are not personally ready, you can learn by observing and working with someone who may be better prepared. That is part of our Christian growth. You are encouraged to seek those bonds or to let us know if you, yourself needs help. Our goals are to Glorify God, serve him the best we can and emerge from this crisis stronger than we were before.
