Ready or Not
Well, glory be an’ pass those buttered grits on over here, Buttercup! Git yourself to scootin’ right on up here on this here wobbly front porch chair that done gits to feelin’ like you’re ‘a-sittin’ on a lil’ ol’ three‑legged goat on roller skates ‘cause we’re ‘bout to go strollin’ into a truth that’ll be ‘a-wakin’ you up quicker’n real cold water ‘a-pourin’ from a busted well pump. Luke 12:40 is ‘a-tellin’ us, “You also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” That there verse done slipped into my heart quieter than a fox ‘a-sneakin’ past the henhouse, and it done went to ‘a-remindin’ me that Jesus jus’ ain’t ‘a-sendin’ us a courtesy text ‘a-fore He’s ‘a-gonna’ be returnin’. He’s ‘a-comin’ when He’s real good and ready, and we’d done better be ‘a-livin’ like this here day today might jes’ be that there day.
Now, sakes alive, Buttercup, we’re ‘a-livin’ in times shakier than a squirrel ‘a-tryin’ to walk on a trampoline. The world is ‘a-buzzin’, ‘a-hummin’, ‘a-twistin’, and ‘a-turnin’ like a barnyard full of critters who done heard the feed bucket ‘a-gittin’ filled up all at once. That there’s why we can’t be affordin’ to be ‘a-floatin’ through life like a dandelion puff ‘a-tryin’ to decide where to land. We’re ‘a-needin’ to be anchored in Scripture, steadied in our walk, and real ready for Jesus to be showin’ up quicker than a raccoon ‘a-showin’ up when you done leave the trash can lid cracked open even jus’ a lil’ bit.
Some folks keep ‘a-sayin’, “I’ill get serious about Jesus later.” Later? Buttercup, later jus’ ain’t been guaranteed. Later is that there real mysterious land where lost socks and good intentions go to die. Jesus didn’t say, “Be ready eventually.” He done said be ready right now. Today. Right this here minute. Even ‘a-fore your coffee done starts to kickin’ in.
An’ let’s be ‘a-talkin’ ‘bout family for a lil’ ol’ second. Does your spouse know Jesus? Your kids? Your grandbabies? Your kinfolk who only be showin’ up at reunions for the homemade banana puddin’? If Jesus done came today, would your whole doggone crew be ‘a-standin’ right there with you in eternity, or would some of ‘em still be ‘a-wanderin’ ‘round like some real confused turkeys in a hailstorm? This here ain’t ‘bout no fear. It’s ‘bout real focusin’. It ain’t ‘bout panic. It’s ‘bout real purpose.
You gotta’ be livin’ ready. You gotta’ be sharin’ boldly. You gotta’ be lovin’ your kinfolks sho’-nuff’ enough to have them there kinds o’ conversations that done really matter most. Heaven may be a whole lot closer than you might be ‘a-thinkin’, and eternity is far too long to be jus’ ‘a-shruggin’ and ‘a-hopin’ that everybody has done figured it out eventually.
Father, help me to be ‘a-livin’ ready for you to be ‘a-comin’. Be ‘a-keepin’ me real watchful, real steady, and real faithful. Be ‘a-givin’ me courage to be sharin’ Jesus with them there people I love, even when them there words feel real heavy. Be remindin’ me that today matters, and be ‘a-helpin’ me to be walkin’ in Your truth with real joy and real urgency. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, merciful heavens, Butterbean, as you gitta’ thinkin’ ‘bout goin’ ‘a-wandein’ back into your day, don’t you be like a sleepy lil’ ol’ possum ‘a-waitin’ for a wake‑up call that don’t never come. Be real ready. Be real steady. Be real watchful. And be ‘a-keepin’ your heart tuned right to Jesus ‘cause, ready or not, He’s ‘a-comin, an’ when He comes, you’ll want to be ‘a-standin’ real tall, not scramblin’ like a silly lil’ ol’ rooster that done overslept an’ missed his crowin’ time at sunrise.
With joy,
Gwen
