Kalkaska had a HUGE storm last night. Actually, most of the state of Michigan had storms. I know this because it was starting to get bad out, so I turned on the TV and there were Thunderstorm warnings all over the ticker at the bottom of the TV screen. The warnings are there so that we all know it’s coming and so that we can prepare. If you were watching TV last night or on the internet or even looked outside you would be able to see that there was a storm brewing.
The Bible gives us warnings too. It tells us what is to come and to be prepared. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 says, “The Lord himself will come down from heaven. We will hear a loud command. We will hear the voice of the leader of the angels. We will hear a blast from God’s trumpet. Many who believe in Christ will have died already. They will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them. We will be taken up in the clouds. We will meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with him forever.”
Now, even though we had storm warnings last night, quite a few people were surprised by trees down and damage. What if the storm warning had said “Kalkaska, beware! Many of you will lose trees tonight.” Some people would have gone out and maybe moved things around or secured things or possibly even cut down the trees. But many would not. Because, “It probably won’t happen at my house,” or ” my neighbor’s trees will fall down before mine.” Now what if the TV said “Sara Blasko! The huge maple tree behind your house is going to fall on your house!” (This did NOT happen lol) We would’ve been outside with chainsaws cutting it down in preparation for the storm, our friends and neighbors that already had their tree situation under control would be over helping us. There would be a sense of urgency.
Why don’t we have this same sense of urgency for our souls? Matthew 25:13 says, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.”
Friends! I have no doubt that my community would rally around me if the news announced that the tree in my backyard was going to fall down. Let’s be good neighbors about not just our physical needs but the spiritual needs of our neighbors. Invite your friends to church. Check in on those that are spiritually sick. Love them like Jesus!