Watching for God

Matthew 24: 42 - 51

....you must be ready....the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect

I received a message from a friend last weekend to request urgent prayer for her nephew who was lost on a trekking trip in Montana. This really shook me, as a mother, as I could connect with the anguish the family must be going through. Up to today, and it is reckoned it is almost two weeks since he was lost, he has not been found, but the people of God here in Malaysia, especially among the Methodist circle, have been praying fervently for him.

Readiness for the Lord's coming is urged in the Gospel today. I take this in a number of ways. Lately, maybe in light of news of sudden deaths of people ....., the thought came that indeed, we do not know what day the Lord will 'come for us', to invite us home. It seems morbid to think about such things - but they are a reality of life on this earth, life that is blessed; at the same time so unpredictable.

The Lord of course shows up in life in many other ways as well. Daily we are surrounded by his action and grace around us - but how often are we even ready for that? It may not even be a case of living blatantly immoral lives, but just being numb, dulled, blind and deaf to the many ways he invites us to participate in his redeeming work in the world around us.

The Lord urges attentiveness, watchfulness to his coming. Ever since the coming of God to share human life, in the incarnation, there is every reason to trust that God comes, he calls and beckons us to turn to him, not only at the end, but also all the way in between. How sad for those who miss his presence and action in the here and now, as they may well lose the treasure that nothing can compare with.

Yes, I am praying with the family of the young man who is lost.......as days pass, the searchers are losing hope but the prayer of the family is that the Lord will intervene and return their loved one. Lord, we watch in eager anticipation for your presence and action in this situation. Lord, have mercy.