It is that time of year again when fogged or iced windows become a common issue. My truck sits overnight in the driveway, and during the fall and winter months, there’s a good chance that my windows either have crystallized ice on the outside or condensation on the inside. Each morning, I face a decision. I can be proactive by checking my windshield first; if there’s ice, I can start the truck, scrape the ice off, and defrost the windows. Or, I can take the unsafe route: jump into the truck and head out, hoping that either my windshield is already clear or that it will defrost by the time I reach traffic.
We all know that the better choice is to be proactive. We’re aware of what we should do, yet many of us have attempted the latter option. We’ve all been in a situation where we got into our vehicles and waited blindly for our windshields to clear. There are countless reasons for this: we are creatures of habit, we tend to be impatient, and we often feel busier than we really are.
Adopting a proactive stance is always the wiser option. In life, it is generally better not to live reactively. However, we often find ourselves winging it, flying by the seat of our pants, and making things up as we go along. Sometimes this approach works, but often our lack of preparation catches up with us and leads to failure. We might claim to be too busy, impatient, or just accustomed to going with the flow.
The Christian life emphasizes the importance of readiness. Jesus highlighted this many times, particularly regarding His return. In
Luke 12:35-38 (ESV), He states: “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!”
Many people go through life ill-prepared for moments that require action. They delay implementing the measures necessary for safe passage. They meander through life, relying on feelings and reactions, with chaos as their constant companion. Each moment can become reckless and unfruitful. It can lead to crashes and collisions.
In contrast, the faithful servant is dressed and ready for action. They have scraped the ice off their windshield, their vehicle is warm, their prayer life is robust, and they immerse themselves in God’s word while maintaining fellowship with other believers. They are prepared. These efforts aren’t difficult or burdensome, but they do require diligence and forethought. Such a mindset shows concern for others and an awareness of whatever challenges life may bring. They understand that by taking certain precautions, they can effectively navigate the changing seasons.