Last week, during Fall break, a reader sent me a link for something that she and her family had been researching. They were spending time at their family’s remote wilderness cabin. Incidentally, her father is ex-military special forces and has taught her to be self-reliant—which means that she’s a “prepper”.
Basically, a prepper is someone who works on being prepared for any disaster; but not just to survive it—but to thrive through it. Because of that, she’s recently been doing her best to “educate and enlighten” me a lot about “disaster preparedness.” She loves social media (and her father wishes that she’d just stop with it all—but that’s another post for another time…).
She sent me an Instagram reel or a short—or whatever they’re called, about a specific company that sells all kinds of handy gadgets to help you prepare for any kind of disaster or emergency. My favorite item is ready-made food in actual tubs, or pails. All you have to do is pop the top and munch, suck, or slurp away! Yummy, right? I don’t think so.
God’s “Prepper” Prescription
This week, spend some time reading chapters 20-25 in Matthew. Jesus cared so much about making sure that we could all be ready for His soon return that He spent part of chapters 20-23 and all of chapters 24 and 25 talking about what will happen before—and during—His return. This is God’s real “prepper” prescription!
He cares about you and me. In fact, right now, at this very moment, He’s working and preparing our place in Heaven. He wants us all to be ready, so we can be with Him forever. Jesus, in His last meal with His disciples, reassured His worried disciples about His return:
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (John 14:1-3, NLT).
Jesus’s Prepper Plan
Jesus did His part by coming to this earth, being born as a human, living a perfect life, dying in our place on the cross, and coming back from the dead. But when He went back to Heaven, He ensured that we could have the final piece of His prepper plan by sending us His Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:7-15) to ensure that we could have everything we need to get ready. He also promised us that He would never leave us—ever (Matthew 28:20)! Jesus said that it would sure be a total waste of your life if you spent your time here on earth doing all kinds of other stuff and didn’t take the time to get—and stay—ready for the biggest “welcome home” party that you’ve ever seen (Mark 8:36).
Preparing for the Party
This week, as you’re returning back from your Fall break, and gearing up for the last push until Thanksgiving, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to take a hard look at your life and assess what changes; changes you need to make—not just in your study skills—but more importantly, in your life, so you can work toward getting ready to see Jesus. I know He’s anxious to see you—and when you get to heaven, oh, what a feast you’ll have! (Revelation 19:9)! I can promise you two things: that party will be like nothing you’ve ever experienced, and it won’t be out of a pouch, bag, can, or bucket—the food, the water, and the tree will be absolutely Heavenly!
“Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever (Revelation 22: 1-5, NLT).
I hope to see you there!
Additional Resources
More to study on “The Second Coming”
