Column by Bro. Terry Ivy
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt. 24:44) The Bible is filled with examples that warn us to always be ready for what God is going to do. From the days of Noah to the day of the return of Christ, readiness is the high watermark of our call.
The world mocks believers when we warn them of the most significant event that will shake human history—the return of Christ. Those who mocked Noah discovered the folly of their ways after it was too late to change their situation.
Let me illustrate this with a true story. I had a friend named Faye who grew up near Shreveport, LA. The year was 1955 when the Louisiana Hayride introduced new musical talent to radio audiences, especially across the deep South. A young man from Tupelo, MS burst on the scene through this show. His name was Elvis Presley.
The girls around Shreveport were going wild with the new music and energy he was bringing to the younger generation. Faye, along with three of her friends, went to hear Elvis. Like all the young girls, they wanted to meet him. One of Faye’s friends brought a camera to take pictures for keepsakes. As usual, the auditorium erupted with screams and applause at the performance of Elvis and his small band.
After the show, Faye and her friends were even more intent to try and meet Elvis. One of them said, “The crowd is waiting out front for him. Let’s go around back and see if he tries to slip out.” Sure enough, Faye and her three friends were standing out back when Elvis was trying to leave. They were the only ones there. Elvis walked over to them and agreed to take photos with them. Faye’s friend got her camera out, and all four girls took turns hugging and getting kisses on their cheeks from Elvis.
The girls could not believe this was happening. One by one, they took turns sitting on a motorcycle and getting photos with Elvis. Faye told me that Elvis was the perfect gentleman and extremely nice. After a few minutes, Elvis told them he had to leave before others began to catch on that he was slipping out back. So, he hugged them again and left.
Faye and her friends were all giddy and excited. They could hardly wait to develop the film and show their friends the photos with Elvis. However, they discovered that the girl with the camera was so excited that she forgot to put the film in it. The girls were heartbroken. They had failed to properly prepare.
When Christ returns for His church, there will be many who have failed to get ready to meet Him. Don’t be one of them. It will be worse than forgetting to load a camera with film. Don’t leave this earth unprepared. Don’t procrastinate the decision to repent and surrender to Christ. He is coming back. Sooner than we think. Watch, pray, and… Be ready!
