Matthew 24:43

"... if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into."

These are but a hand-full of the many words Jesus devoted in this discourse about His return. He leaves no doubt that He will come back; it's as sure as the rising and the setting of the sun. But what isn't so sure is when. Many have prognosticated and proven themselves wrong; none of them have been right, not one. And Jesus warned about falling prey to these predictions, even though certain signs and wonders will assuredly appear that cause one to ponder. So rather than focus on the "when", Jesus calls me to focus on the "what". Confidence in His promised return should not produce anxiety, but peace. And in peace, I can now concern myself with the "what". What shall I do in light of this reality not yet seen? Watch and protect, just as if I were concerned that a thief might come in the middle of the night and rob my home or harm my family. This requires readiness and constant vigilance. There's not a moment of my waking day when I can let my guard down. It may sound exhausting and perhaps even legalistic, but the irony is that it's easy, light and has an aire of grace. And what am I protecting? My heart.

Today I pray that a shield of faith surround my heart such that my hope in the promised return of Jesus gives rise to a life of watchfulness, not for His return, but for the schemes and trickery of those determined to steal my heart.