Are you ready and waiting?

Matthew 24:35-44 NLT

Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

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Several years ago when my family was young and we had a very busy Sunday church routine there seemed to be an inevitable last minute mad dash to make it on time and not be late.
For nearly thirteen years the Sunday schedule was the same. Where we lived changed, the number of children in the house changed, my tasks on the day increased and decreased and increased again with various seasons and programs but the need to get ready and leave together as a family stayed pretty much the same.
The mad dash persisted. We knew it was coming but we rarely were ready comfortably.

Whether you know it is coming or it comes on as a complete surprise, being ready seems hard.

Jesus is coming. This world will end and Jesus will return.

Are you ready? Are you living in expectation?

Are you busy about being ready for Jesus' return.

At school we used to have fire drills and disaster emergency drills so that everyone would be ready and know what to do in the event of an emergency. Wedding parties often have a rehearsal before the big day. And people who have to give a speech or report will often practice in the mirror.
One year I had the opportunity to go to the World Snooker Championship. It is a major international televised event. Before the cameras were live in the Crucible Theatre, the emcee, had us in the audience practice our reactions so that when the cameras came on, we'd all be ready and we'd respond as one with excitement and unity.
Jesus' return is a bit more important than the World Snooker Championship.
Are you ready?  Are you getting ready?