Mark 13:34-37 -- On Watching For the Lord

"For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."
Mark 13:34-37


Waiting upon the Lord seems to be about faith and patience, but here we're asked to watch.  I think that implies some amount of waiting, but it adds the idea of being constantly prepared, because we don't know the duration of our waiting.

It's the same idea as the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13)... that we need to be prepared for the Lord's timing.  I think that means don't procrastinate our repentance (Alma 13:27, Alma 34:33, Helaman 13:38), but not just that.  Preparation to see the Lord again is a large part of our lives, but he isn't just talking about death, but also life.  What can we do to "be ready always" (1 Peter 3:15) to do God's will?  I think part of that is the daily pattern of our lives.  If we read, study, and think about the scriptures, then God's word will start filling us up, and we'll have those answers ready when the time comes that we need them.  Isn't that part of the symbolic oil that some of the virgins needed to go buy?  And scriptures of course is just an example... the idea is to keep the spirit with us, and be listening for inspiration all the time, and if we get into that pattern, then we won't be left unprepared when God calls us to speak, or help, or anything at all that is needed.

Today, let's commit to not only wait, but watch for the Lord, staying ready to do his will so that we won't be unable to do as he asks when the time is right.