A Season of Suddenlies

A SEASON OF SUDDENLIES

By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

“If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.” – Mark‬ ‭13:36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Opening the blinds this morning, I was more than a little surprised to see the clear, blue skies of yesterday, replaced by a homogenous light gray. Other than thinking our solar panels might be poor producers today, I honestly didn’t think much of it.

So, I leisurely wandered around the house in my pajamas and was feeding the dog, when suddenly there was a strange noise.  I couldn’t quite put my finger on it until I casually glanced out the window to see torrential rain pummeling the ground at a 45 degree angle.

My jaw dropped open.  I no sooner expected to see heavy rain come out of that light, wispy cloud cover than to see the Queen of England herself driving down our driveway.

How woefully unprepared we were for such a weather change!  We had left the truck windows open, tools out alongside the house, as well as windows open upstairs.  We expected more of a warning before being hit with weather like that.  My husband, God bless him, ran outside in his pajamas and closed the truck windows.  He came back in wet to the skin.

Had we known rain was coming, we would have obviously buttoned everything up before even going to bed.  But we were not paying attention, and we expected today to be like yesterday.

“Suddenlies” are documented 87 times throughout scripture. That is why the Lord instructs us to watch for signs of His return, so we will not be caught unprepared.  Suddenly a day will come that is unlike any other day.

"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. "For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” – Matthew 24:42-44

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” – Matthew 24:30.

Jesus IS coming back. Only the Father knows the precise time (Matt 24:36), but there will be signs that the day is approaching.  Beloved, do you know what to look for?  Are YOU watching for them?

Father, we don’t want to be found unprepared, lounging around in our spiritual pajamas when Jesus returns. Remind us of the signs of the times. Awaken us from our complacent slumber, that we will be found dressed, equipped and alert on that day. Let us not stand dumbfounded and disheartened at prophecy unfolding before our eyes, but rather, that prophecy might hasten our readiness, renew our faith in the inerrant Word of God, and remind us of the hope and glory that are to come.  Even so, come Lord Jesus! In Jesus’ Name ❤️

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