We have all seen them, those precious moments when a soldier surprises his wife or kids with a special unannounced visit home. How touching they are to see the emotion and joy that overcomes those who have been waiting so long for a glimpse, a touch and some time with their loved ones from whom they have been apart.

Now can you imagine one of those scenes going like this: the loved one appears everyone is shocked, the whole crowd anticipates this great response from the spouse and instead they get, “Oh, hi, good to see ya.” As they just keep doing what they were doing before the loved one appeared? We would be blown away! “Weren’t they surprised? Didn’t they want them to come home? Don’t they love their appearing?”

Oh Christian, how are we preparing for the surprise return of our groom Jesus? Are we anticipating, waiting, hopeful it will be today? Are we prepared for it if it is today? Will we love it when He suddenly steps forth and calls His children home or will we be caught just going about life as if it will never happen?

Perhaps you have even resolved yourself to believe it won’t happen in your life time. But it could. And are we living that way, in anticipation and expectation that if it is today, I have only today to live for Him?

If it is today, whatever I put off to tomorrow will not get done for His sake? Jesus cautions us: “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

(Lk. 12:40) How will your precious moment look when your loved one surprises you with His return for you?

Dr. William Burnham is pastor of Point of Grace Church in Covington. He can be reached at burnhamw@charter.net.