Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42 ESV)

Jesus advises us to stay awake and prepared for his arrival. I am to be watchful and allow every word that he has spoken to be engraved on my heart. My faith is to be expressed in a way that pleases him and benefits others. It is a treasure meant to be shared and not buried just for me.

Maintaining spiritual vigilance is my personal responsibility. The cares of this world are not all aligned with God and I must be careful not to be deceived or lured into a state of slumber where I relax my convictions and loosen my grip on God’s purpose for me, which is to love and worship him, and to love others as I would myself (Matthew 22:37-39).

To say that I am Christian is not the same as being a Christian. Walking the talk is a matter of my heart. Do I believe in Jesus and obey his teachings? After all, he did say, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Sharing the gospel is not limited to just preaching from Scripture. It needs to be exhibited in my conduct so that everyone can clearly see him in all that I say and do. That is what makes God happy because it brings him glory and unites my heart with his. It is my affirmation that I am indeed “awake” and prepared for his second coming. And what a wonderful day that would be, to finally see the King of all kings, my Lord and my Savior, my dear Friend face-to-face!