I had the most random thought this week.
I was transferring sermon notes from my phone into my journal, completing the devotional questions from Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship’s What We Believe series. The lesson I was reviewing focused on the rapture and the return of Christ. One of the passages came from 1 Thessalonians:
“The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 ESV
Somewhere between reading the passage and thinking about the fact that Christ’s return could happen without warning, my mind went somewhere Scripture probably did not intend.
What if Jesus came right now?
Because, baby…My hair was not combed. I was sitting around the house in pajamas. And suddenly I had this mental picture of myself being caught up to meet Jesus looking like I had absolutely no plans to leave the house that day. Then my imagination really got going.
What if somebody is in the shower?
What if somebody is asleep?
What if a married couple is in the middle of enjoying the blessings of holy matrimony?
Jesus said we would not know when He was coming. No one knows the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36). Apparently, my brain decided we needed to discuss the logistical implications of that. But after my deep belly laugh resolved, the thought stayed with me. I don’t believe Jesus is concerned about whether my wig is straight with properly melted lace when He returns. Thankfully, Scripture makes it abundantly clear that God looks much deeper than our outward appearance.
“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
So no, this is not a theological argument for wearing makeup around the house. I will still likely be barefaced. However, it did make me think about…
Intentional Living
I have always understood there are women who seem to get up and prepare themselves for the day whether they are leaving the house or not. Hair done. Cute lounge clothes. A little fragrance. House reasonably together. I have historically thought to myself, Ma’am, nobody is coming over here.
If I don’t have somewhere to go, I can become very comfortable with doing the absolute minimum. But maybe being prepared does not always have to mean preparing for someone else. Maybe there is something to be said for how we show up for ourselves.
There is a difference between being comfortable and becoming careless.
And I don’t mean just physically.
What does my home look like when no one is coming over? (Confession, it’s a hot mess right now. The Sister Circle’s Declutter Challenge is right on time!)
How do I use my time when no deadline is pressing?
How do I care for my body when there is no event on the calendar?
What thoughts am I entertaining when no one can hear them?
How am I treating people when there is nothing to gain from being kind?
What am I postponing because I assume there will always be another day?
That is where my silly little pajama thought became much more serious.
Jesus repeatedly told His followers to be ready.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
Matthew 24:42 NIV
I don’t think readiness means living anxiously, constantly wondering whether today is the day. To me, it means living in such a way that we don’t need an announcement to become the person we already know we should be. Paul wrote:
“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Colossians 3:17 NIV
Whatever you do
Not just what people see.
Not just church.
Not just work.
Not just the moments when we are dressed, prepared, polished, and publicly representing ourselves. Even the ordinary Tuesday-at-home version of us matters. Maybe intentional living looks like making the bed even though nobody is coming over. Maybe it means putting on the cute matching lounge set instead of the T-shirt that should have been retired during the Obama administration. Maybe it means finally handling the thing we keep saying we’ll get to later.
Maybe it means calling somebody.
Forgiving somebody.
Praying more.
Resting without guilt.
Taking better care of what God has entrusted to us.
Or simply asking ourselves:
If there were no warning that this ordinary moment was about to become extraordinary, would I be comfortable with how I was living it?
I still don’t plan to wake up every morning dressed like I have somewhere important to be. That would be disingenuous. But this week’s reminder was simple: There is something beautiful about being ready.
Not perfect. Not performed. Not polished for an audience. Just present.
Intentional.
Stewarding the life God has given me instead of waiting for a special occasion to treat it like something valuable. And yes, I may start moisturizing my natural coils a little earlier in the day and more regularly. Because if that trumpet sounds, I would at least like to meet the saints looking somewhat respectable.
I’m just saying.
What would “being ready” look like in the way you are living your ordinary life today?
That’s life right now…
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