It’s the second week of deer season and still no deer. I’ve been hunting at three spots and still nothing. As I sit here under this tree I can’t help but think that this is just like waiting for Jesus. You have to be ready, so you can’t be sleeping while you’re on watch. Like those deer, he’ll come when you least expect it.

Being watchful is hard. In hunting, not being watchful is falling asleep or getting up and giving up. Spiritually it’s giving in to temptation or giving up on Jesus. Now how stupid will you feel if you give in to temptation and then hear the trumpets blasting? You need to be watchful.

Now for the big question: what does it mean to keep watch? Keeping watch means to look out for something, to be attentive at all times. I think Jesus means that you can go on with your daily life but always know in the back of your mind that he is coming. That means you don’t give in to temptation. You stay alert.

Another thing: you watch for the signs. On a hill overlooking a marsh with a stream running through it, there are signs of deer all over the place. In the real world, there are signs of Jesus making his coming known: wars, famines, and earthquakes.

True, it is all overwhelming, but the comforting thing is that we don’t need to be afraid. The reason was hanging on the cross. Jesus died for us. Jesus suffered the crown of thorns, the scourging, the ridicule for all of us. All our sins are paid for, and Jesus promises to come back to take us to our heavenly home.

Jesus says that if a man knew what time the thief would come to his house at night he would be ready. That is the same with the hunter. If I knew where the deer were going to be at a certain time, I would go there at that time and go “trigger-happy.” But it doesn’t work like that. He’ll come when you least expect him.

The more I think about it, the more that I realize that this is a broader subject than I anticipated. I mean, I recall the hymn “Hark! The Voice of Jesus Crying” that tells us that while we wait, we can do mission work. Also there are the parables “The Ten Virgins” and “The Parable of the Talents.”

Now that is something that we can do while waiting for his coming. We can do mission work. Sharing Jesus will help others be ready for his return.

Now let’s review our thoughts. Number one: keep watch. Know that Jesus is coming and apply that to your life.

Number two: don’t give up. Jesus has forgiven us and given us eternal life. His promises are sure and certain, and we are just waiting for them to be fulfilled. So we keep watch and don’t give up.