The Monster Storm

Last week a monster storm roared throughout North America. It began in Texas, left its mark on the central U.S. and pounded the eastern seaboard. Then it entered southern Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, until it ended up in Newfoundland.

Meteorologists tracked the speed and direction of the storm so that they could warn residents when it would arrive in their area. Those living in Toronto, Ontario, knew the storm would hit them just after midnight on Wednesday Feb 2, 2011.

My husband and I travelled to the centre of Toronto that Tuesday evening. Thankfully, we returned home before driving became treacherous. When we left at 10:30 pm, a blizzard was engulfing nearby Hamilton. Meanwhile in Toronto, people continued on with their daily routines. But, as promised, the snow began to fall after midnight and persisted into Wednesday morning.

That experience started me thinking about Jesus’ return. Like the snow storm, it will be business as usual right up until the end (Matthew 24:37–39). This means some people will be ready for Jesus’ coming while others will not (Matthew 25:1–13). I know a few who deliberately prepared for the storm by grocery shopping on Tuesday instead of Wednesday.

There is one major difference between that storm and Jesus’ second coming, however. We knew the exact time of the storm’s arrival. In contrast, no one knows when Jesus will return. “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36, NIV). Why waste time trying to figure out when Jesus is coming back? Instead let us reach out to those around us with the good news of salvation in Jesus alone while there is still time.

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