Washington County Minnesota Sheriff Jim Frank is on the job even during his lunch hour. Recently, when Frank went home on his lunch break, he had the opportunity to protect and serve his own neighborhood. As Frank enjoyed a ham sandwich, he heard the sound of breaking glass at the house next door.

The sheriff looked through the fence of his neighbor’s home and saw a strange man carrying a lawn chair. When he checked the front yard, he saw a woman looking under the hood of a car. When the man left the house through a sliding glass door carrying a bag, Frank decided to take action.

Frank phoned for reinforcements while he followed the couple in his car. The sheriff and his deputies stopped the pair a short time later and arrested them. Deputies found a bag of stolen good, including a piggy bank and glass jar of money, in the car.

Though the sheriff never finished his lunch that day, he proved he is always ready to do his job.

—Associated Press, October 7, 2003, Sheriff on lunch break stops busts burglars, Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

2 Timothy 4:2. NIV “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction.”

Speaking at a recent conference, pastor of Elevation Steven Furtick told the crowd that no one needs to “feel ready” before they answer a God given calling in life. Furtick said he was not prepared when he was saved at age 16. He added that the Bible is filled with people God called, who were not ready at that moment. Furtick said Abraham was not ready and neither was Moses. He said even the disciples were reluctant to do what God asked them.

Looking at his life and others he has met, Furtick said he thinks the Lord is not concerned about a person’s readiness, even though a lot of people make excuses about why they are not ready to follow God’s call. Some claim they need to pay off debts first, while other claim they would need to know the Bible better become speaking to friend or relative. He says the way to move forward with what God has in store is not trying to impress God or waiting for Him, but to act. He said God chose believers before they were born, and calls them to act on His plan as He makes it known. Furtick added,”God doesn’t call me to feel ready. He calls me to follow Him. Step out. Have Faith. Move forward.” --Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Steven Furtick at Hillsong Conference: ‘I’ve never been ready.’, http://www.christianpost.com/news/steven-furtick-at-hillsong-conference-ive-never-been-ready-77606 ; July 2, 2012,

John 15:16 ESV You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Earlier this year in Cape Wrath, Scotland, Mark Elder was dragged off the fishing vessel North Star, pulled underwater and drowned. Although his fellow crewmen watched as he became tangled in a rope and was pulled off the ship, they were unable to locate and rescue him before he succumbed to the cold depths of the water. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigated Elder’s death and discovered that the crew had not properly prepared for this type of emergency situation. They had failed to complete a man overboard drill before departing and they didn’t know the correct steps to take if someone fell into the water. None of the crewmen were wearing life jackets and Elder had not taken a sea survival course before being hired. Each person aboard the ship assumed they could just take care of themselves if an emergency happened. —Jim L. Wilson and Alex Morrison

The crew’s lack of preparation was deadly! Christians also face the same need to prepare. Christ is returning yet we do not live with that mindset. Are you prepared for when Christ returns? Many are not. They live as if what is around them is all that there will be. We must fight against this complacency and live prepared in anticipation of the return of Jesus.

Matthew 24:42–44 (CSB) “Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. ⁴³ But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”