But the day of the Lord will come like a thief…So what kind of people should you be?  You should live holy lives and serve God, as you wait for and look forward to the coming of the day of God.

(2 Peter 3:10–12a, NCV)

Earthquakes can strike without warning. One moment everything is calm, and the next, the ground is shaking and furniture is flying. That’s why experts always emphasize the importance of being prepared. Consider the following tongue-in-cheek suggestions for earthquake readiness:

• To minimize loss and damage in a quake, try not to own things.
• Practice your burrowing-out-from-under-40-tons-of-rubble skills ahead of time.
• Look out your window often. If you see a large, zig-zag-shaped crevasse moving rapidly toward your home, step to the right or left.
• A doorway is the safest place to be during a quake. Therefore, eat, sleep, and work in doorways.
• Always mail your house-insurance payment a full five business days before the quake strikes.

Clearly, these “tips” are meant to be humorous. But they point to a serious truth: earthquakes are unpredictable.  Unlike other disasters like hurricanes or blizzards, they come without warning.  They strike suddenly and whenever they do, you’re either prepared or you’re not.

Jesus used a similar image when describing his return. He said his second coming would be like “a thief in the night” (Matthew 24:43). That doesn’t mean he’s coming to steal anything.  It simply means he’s coming at a time when no one expects it.  Just like an earthquake, Jesus’ return will be sudden, with no last-minute warnings.

That’s why Scripture calls us to live in a constant state of readiness. In 2 Peter 3, the apostle reminds us that Jesus will come unexpectedly.  But Peter doesn’t tell us to panic. He calls for holy living— the kind of life that keeps us prepared no matter what happens.  It’s all about keeping Christ at the center of our lives day by day. 

If we do that, we can live our lives with a hopeful anticipation, not with dread.  Because we’re not waiting for a disaster — we’re looking forward to glory!

Prayer: Father, help me to live every day with my life aligned with your will. Teach me to look forward to Jesus’ return, not with fear, but with joyful anticipation. May my thoughts, words, and actions reflect a heart that is ready.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day