This past year has been pretty busy and action packed. It's hard to believe that less than a year ago, I was making the trek up to LA for seminary, living in Orange at my brother's house, and serving as an intern. Over the past year, I graduated from TMS and joined the pastoral staff at FCBC. Back in August, Angie and I purchased our first home and in April, we are eagerly anticipating the birth of our baby daughter. Over the past six months, many of our decisions, as well as how we spend our time and money have been influenced in some way or another by our desire to be ready for arrival of our baby in April.

Since Angie and I moved into our house, we have been constantly working on it in hopes of getting everything ready before April, whether it was electrical or plumbing work that needed to be done, or more recently, researching diapers and putting together a crib. For the past month, we have been attending a weekly birthing class to inform and prepare us throughout Angie’s pregnancy. A couple weeks ago we took a hospital tour to familiarize ourselves with the place we plan for the baby to be born. As the date gets closer and the baby gets bigger inside of Angie, we are more and more excited about her arrival. As I feel the baby kicking, I imagine in a few short months, I will no longer have to feel the baby kicking from inside of Angie, but will be able to hold her in my arms. Needless to say, Angie and I are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our baby daughter and as the day draws near, we are seeking to prepare ourselves the best we can, so that we are ready for that day.

As a church, we are also to be living in eager anticipation, seeking to prepare ourselves, so that we too are ready . . . not for the birth of my daughter, but for the return of Christ. As we having been reading through the Bible together this year, and this week we come to Matthew 24, as Jesus calls his disciples to be ready for his second coming and live in anticipation. In verse 5, He warns that as His return nears, there will be people who will claim to be the Christ and mislead many. In verses 6-8, He explains that there will be wars and rumors of wars, along with famines and earthquakes. But when will this all happen? Jesus declares, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming . . . For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will (v. 42-44).” As a result, Jesus calls us to live faithful and sensible life, so that when He returns, He will find us living in accordance to His Word and reward us rather than punish us (v. 45-51).

Life is busy and there is always something occupying our mind and time. It's easy to get caught up with different family matters that arise, consumed with the many projects at work, or distracted with all the gadgets and toys to buy. Oftentimes, the thought of Christ's return has little effect on what we say, do, or think, yet, Jesus declares, "Truly I say to you . . Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away (v. 34-35)." His return is imminent, whether our lives reflect it or not.

In the midst of the busyness of life, set aside some time today and examine your heart and life to see if you are living in eager anticipation of Christ’s return and ready for His arrival. As you find particular areas in your life where you fall short, pray and ask God for help, and share with a fellow brother or sister, so they can encourage you and hold you accountable. Let us, as a church, strive to live in eager anticipation and prepare ourselves so we will be ready for Christ's return and He will be able to say to us, "Well done, good and faithful slave. . . enter into the joy of your master (Matt 25:23)."