Arrivals

 

How many of us arrived somewhere this weekend? Did you go somewhere? Did someone come to spend time with you? How about those unexpected arrivals? Something happens in our daily living, we may have a hint that it may happen but don't quite believe it will happen right away.

Ukrainians arriving at the borders as their lives are upended by war and suffering... Friends or family having to move home or away from home for one reason or another... Arriving at the hospital with an unexpected heart disease, pneumonia, kidney stone or any multiple of ailments... A deer jumps in front of your car and arrives on your windshield and causes you to arrive somewhere that you least planned.

Arrivals happen... some planned and many not. Some happy and some terrible. This Sunday's Gospel reading is Matthew 24:36-44 (read it!) and it speaks of arrivals. A great and wonderfully life changing arrival.

When the flood came, Noah knew it was coming. He told the people of the day, but doubt set in that there would be a sudden rush of water. So... many people went about life. A few that took heed to the voice of God through Noah lived on, but so many that were hesitant were left to fend for themselves and ultimately died in the flood. They lived their lives in the pre-flood times as if nothing would happen. Perhaps many of them felt that life was under control. Eating, drinking and living life without looking to what God may or may not have in store.

It's fine to live life to the fullest in the here and now. There is nothing at all wrong with this. But the Matthew passage encourages us to be ready. Live with eyes open to the present. But also, look for  more than oncoming trains, swerving cars and signs of disease. Keep your eyes open beyond this physical world and look to the time of advent. 

You see, God has little advents each day. God comes in ways that are unexpected. Listen and be ready. God knows times... I certainly don't know or can even understand his time or timing. So why guess at it or try to predict his time?

This is the Advent Season of the church. Spend some time looking beyond the routine. Be ready for Jesus to come at any time and any place. God is near and will come when... I don't know. 

Enjoy the daily living of these days, but be ready. Live with eyes open and watch! Pray, watch and rejoice in this time and the time to come when we will see, hear, touch and worship our Lord.

Now that's the day I live for! Today... tomorrow... and forever!

Come. Lord Jesus, come...