High Waters

"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh" (Matthew 24:44).

We had seen the dark cloud in the distance. Knowing we were in for another soaker, our family prepared for a torrential downpour. Just as we completed our preparations, however, it seemed like some invisible hand reached out and moved the cloud. After not even receiving a drop of rain, the sun came out and we thought the storm was over, until we heard a flash flood alert on the radio. Apparently, eight inches of rain had fallen in the neighboring town, and a three-foot wall of water was headed our way.

Looking out the window, I saw our neighbor working in his low-lying pasture. Knowing he was unaware of the strange events taking place, I sent my son on his bicycle to warn him. Having recently moved his herd of cows and newborn calves to the fresh green grass near the dry riverbed's edge, our neighbor had placed them right in the flood's path. As I continued to homeschool my other children, my son soon returned and said, "Mom, I tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen." Thinking we were overreacting, our neighbor ignored my son's warning and went about his business repairing the pasture fences.

A few minutes later, we watched as the fast-moving flood waters approached. From our ranch's hilltop view, we saw the wall of water etch its way toward our neighbor's cattle. Frightened and running in all directions, most of the cattle barely escaped to higher ground. However, several calves became disoriented in the confusion and found themselves being carried away in the water's swift current. Saddened by the scene, my son turned to me and asked, "Mom, why wouldn't he listen?"

"I don't know," I replied, "but this reminds me of what it will be like when Christ returns."

Someday Christ will bring judgment on today's sinful world. Those who have ignored the message of salvation are in great danger. Like the people in Noah's day, they go about their business and assume they have everything under control until it's too late. Are your loved ones ready for the day when Christ returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords? "For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" (Matthew 24:38-39).

Lord, someday You will return as King. Please, use our homeschooling family to share the good news of Your forgiveness with as many people as possible before that day comes. In Jesus' name, Amen.