It is not if but when!

by David Ritchie
Published July 16, 2005

It is not if but when!

These were the words of Government officials concerning a terrorist attack on the cities of Britain. While we are all sickened at the fresh reminder that there are people who are prepared to maim and kill innocent people, we are no longer surprised. The Government officials have been proven true, and whatever the rights and wrongs are, whatever the motive, innocent people have died the targets of depraved minds.

A mother enjoying a few minutes in the sunshine on the bus before starting her busy day at the office. Thirteen of her fellow travellers that morning would not be home for tea; indeed they would never go home again. Children, many would not have had the opportunity to say goodbye as fathers and mothers left for the tube or bus before they were awake.

Teenagers with lives full of plans and expectations, many undoubtedly looking forward to the changes the Olympics would bring to their city, cut off in the prime of life, or horridly maimed the very day after the Olympic bid was announced.

It is not if or when it was last Thursday at 9.05 am; it is now history.
Christians have another 'not if but when' in their diaries. Will it take us unawares, will we be prepared? London had sent many policemen to Gleneagles for the G8 Summit, the terrorist alert had been stepped down from red to orange when the bombers struck. The bible says, "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." (Math 24v44)

As Christians we need to rid ourselves of the detractions and prepare for that great and glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, not if he comes, but when he comes. Yes we have heard this all our lives, but in reality many of us are a bit like the authorities in London, our attention has been focused on other things. Life can be hard, and it can take so much effort just to get by, but let us who are of the faith look heavenward, living our lives to the full, but expecting that at any time, "For in just a very little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay." (Heb 10v37)

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