“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. ⁴³ Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. ⁴⁴ You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” Matthew 24:42-44
This past weekend was the last day to hunt for spring turkeys. My eldest son, Hunter (a family name but befitting for one of his favorite hobbies), was determined. Many mornings throughout the season he would awaken, put on his appropriate attire, walk out into the woods behind our home, and was patient for hours as he was ready to lure the turkey to the right location for the perfect shot. He did call a few turkeys close to him over the weeks, but not one was either in the right location, or size, or whatever to be that day’s trophy.
On the very last day of the spring season, Hunter had success!
He had a good friend (whom Hunter said that this friend “is like a champion turkey caller”) with him to assist in calling the turkeys in. The early morning hunt wasn’t a success, but Hunter was still full of determination. He remained in hunting mode until the last official hour to hunt. His persistence paid off. A beautiful turkey was brought home. Thanksgiving meal doesn’t just come once a year in our home. (*wink wink*).
So how does this all tie into the verses from Matthew 24? Well, think about it…
Hunter knew when the last day was coming for turkey season, yet we don’t know the day that the Lord is coming back. So what are we to do? Be determined, put on the appropriate attire, walk to where God leads us, and be patient.
The last day: We must be ready at all times, for Jesus will come when we least expect it. (Matthew 24:44) It could be today, tomorrow, or years from now. We do not know. The way our world is, I believe I’m not alone in saying that we are in the last days now.
Go. Be determined. Be patient. Call: The bible instructs us to, “So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time.” Matthew 28:19-20
Much like Hunter was determined to go and call on a turkey, we are to go and share the love and salvation of Christ with others. Don’t give up. We must not get tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time. We must not give up. Galatians 6:9.
“And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.” 2 Peter 3:15  The Lord is patient. We must be patient. He wants everyone to be saved.
Share with others that you are not the only one calling. In Romans 10:13 it says, For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Appropriate attire: This attire would be The Armor of God. To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. ¹¹ Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. ¹² Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.
¹⁴ So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. ¹⁵ On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. ¹⁶ And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. ¹⁷ Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. ¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people. Ephesians 6:10-18
You’re not alone. God is with you, and you can even bring a friend to help with the calling.

The time is now. The time is near. We don’t know the exact time, but God does. So be ready.
(Okay, so maybe I had to really search for the right words to share to go along with the photo of Hunter, but I think God pulled it off. I’m a proud momma of my boy. I hope God is a proud papa of us.)
I pray that you will enjoy soaking up The Son every moment of each day. –Stephanie
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