Surprise Visits
March 25
You must also be ready…
Luke 12:40
In all her eighty years she’d never had such an experience! She knew she wasn’t dreaming, but how could this be? The man in white looked real enough to touch, but he had appeared out of nowhere…and was standing inside the locked door of her home!
“Who are you?!” she finally managed.
“You know who I am.” he responded with a smile.
No…yo no!" (No…I do not!)” she said in her native Spanish.
The man pointed at her Bible and said, “You have read about me many times. You know who I am.”
Perplexed she said, “I do not know who you are! Why do you say I have read about you in La Biblia?”
“Because I am Gabriel! You have been reading about the proclamation the Father spoke through me to the Chosen One in Luke’s account of my Master’s birth!”*
She was about to faint when Gabriel said, “Fear not! For I have come to tell you we are waiting for you!” Gabriel’s smile widened as he produced a beautiful dress in the same manner as his appearing. The material was unlike anything she had ever seen. “This is for you. It is the gown you will wear when you meet the Master! I will see you soon!” He smiled, and was gone; no angel, no gown!
†
Heaven shows up when we least expect it…in ways we have trouble comprehending…in the most illogical places…and sometimes appearing out of nowhere. Today’s story is written as events were related by this Mexican great grandmother to a missionary from Ukraine.
For reasons known only to God, we are afforded glimpses of Heaven.
As she told the story, weeks after the event, the wonder and fear of the moment was still a tangible thing. And one look was all that was needed to know it was true.
Vigilance, expecting Jesus’ return or the appearance of Heavenly beings at any given moment, is the only way to assure ourselves of being ready for Heaven.
It’s easy to become spiritually drowsy and lose sight of God’s purpose in our lives. Jesus urges us to be prepared, so His appearance won’t take us unaware!
Prayer
“It’s hard to remain focused on You all the time, Lord Jesus. Awaken the Spirit within me whenever I get spiritually drowsy. Amen.”
* Luke 1:26-38
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