Back in early March 2020, I had gone on a routine trip to get supplies for my office. I was surprised to find it unusually difficult to park. Inside, I could not find a cart and had to search outside for one. Once I got inside to shop it was very crowded and busy. I made it through the office supplies without any problem. Then it happened!
I got to the toilet tissue area, there was nothing at all except a crowd of people milling round. I went to pick up our usual 5 to 10 cases of water to give away at the office. The area was roped off and a two-case limit was in place. Our usual hand soap for patients was nowhere to be found. There was no hand soap of any kind available. The hand sanitizer we usually get…not there, none of any kind was there. I felt like I was in a disaster movie where it was not quite panic, but something close to that and there was an uneasy feeling all around me. The tendency of people to overreact was on full display.
I was very thankful for our office (and personal) policy of preparing, by maintaining a healthy stock of all the critical items we need to function.
That night, as I slowed my mind a bit after a busy day, it occurred to me how important preparation is. If we don’t have hand sanitizer or toilet paper that’s bad for a short time. If we don’t have salvation…that’s eternally catastrophic!
“Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes… “
Luke 12: 37
“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
“You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”
Luke 12:39,40
Are you ready? Are you prepared? Be sure you are ready for what really matters.
For Your Shepherds, Gary Woodall