Titus 2:13-14 – Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (NKJV)

Late in the summer, we here in the Maritimes were battening our hatches down, awaiting the arrival of hurricane Earl. Forecasters alerted us to the fact that Earl was coming in all his dangerous splendour, and they were advising the public to prepare for a wild and woolly day.

While filling my dishwasher the morning before the storm was to arrive, I looked out my window and became aware of just how prepared we were becoming. My husband, who is generally a laid-back person, was busying himself tying things down and putting things safely away, protecting them from being broken or lost by the forceful winds and heavy rains that we were forecasted to receive from this Category 1 hurricane.

My thoughts then centered around another coming, the second coming of our Lord and Saviour. I wondered: are we so busy getting ready for our everyday storms, heavy routines, and promised commitments that we forget to prepare and get ready for the most important coming event in our lives, the Day the Lord will arrive in all His splendour and glory? That day, we will be held accountable for our words, actions, dedication, and accountability to the Word of God. Will we be “broken and lost” because of our neglect to prepare for His arrival, or will we hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21 KJV)

We Christians are instructed in God’s Word to tell of the love and saving power of Christ. However, we often become complacent once we feel secure about our own destiny, and we neglect to share the message of Christ with those around us who will be “broken and lost” if they do not trust in God’s supreme sacrifice.

For years, I taught a teen Sunday School class in our church. When I would begin a new class each September, I would challenge them, from the Word of God, to be ready and willing to tell others about the wonderful security and victory their loved ones and friends could attain in Jesus, by committing their lives to Him and taking the narrow road.

I would ask them, if our small village, which has bridges at both ends, was on fire, what they would advise those arriving at either bridge and wanting to continue with their travel plans. Being sharp as tacks, they would all agree that they would warn the oncoming traffic of the danger in our village and encourage them to take a safer route.

An in-depth conversation would begin, followed by prayer for diligence in telling friends and loved ones about the dangerous highway we all travel in life without Christ. We would ask for guidance to encourage folks to seek Christ and travel the narrow road, leading them to a blessed eternity in the Lord.

It was amazing the work that the youth in that little area did for their Lord. Many parents and friends of those students are now in the Lord’s presence because of the commitment and testimony of those young village Sunday School teens who became missionaries in their own backyards.

Prayer: Loving and eternal God, You who love us with a passion only a heavenly Father could have for the broken and lost, we thank You for sending your Son to repair our lives and save us when we turn to Him in faith and trust. May we, who know You as our loving Saviour, not be slothful in telling the broken and lost about Your love and saving grace. Amen.

Azalia Matheson stapmath@eastlink.ca
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca