Are You Ready, or Just Relaxed?
Wisdom 18:6-9; Psalm 33; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
Today’s Gospel (Luke 12:32–48) reminds us that the Kingdom is not for cowards. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, little flock.” Fear is the enemy of faith. Christians paralysed by fear will never manifest God’s power. Fear makes you lose the battle before the fight begins. Paul calls persecution “momentary affliction” that leads to eternal glory (2 Cor. 4:17). When Paul was warned that Jerusalem meant danger, he didn’t run—he still went, and God preserved him (Acts 21). Fear kills confidence; bravery gets rewarded. If you don’t break fear, fear will break your faith. Heaven is not for the fearful—it is for the faithful. Let us take basic lessons from the words of Jesus in today’s gospel.
Jesus says, “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds wide awake.” Alertness is spiritual survival. Many believers think faith is about miracles alone. They are asleep while Satan is awake. Like the careless prostitutes in 1 Kings 3:16–27, some have slept recklessly and swapped destinies. Sleeping in sin is spiritual suicide. Paul warns: “The night is far spent; the day is at hand” (Rom. 13:12). Too many have left their hearts and homes unguarded, only to find the enemy living inside. If you don’t stay awake in prayer and holiness, you’ll wake up to disaster.
Jesus blesses the servant found working at His return. For the faithful, Christ’s coming is a celebration; for the unfaithful, it’s a crisis. Abraham and Sarah believed God against all odds and stayed alert—so when God visited, they were ready. Faithfulness means doing the right thing when nobody’s watching, and still doing it when everybody’s gone. Our world has too many “fakeful” Christians—public saints, private sinners. God’s Kingdom requires consistency, not convenience. If Christ should come now, would He find you working, or wandering?
Jesus says, “To whom much is given, much will be required.” Your wealth, time, wisdom, and influence are not for hoarding but for helping. Saving is wise; hoarding is faithless. Many who hoard wealth rob their children of discipline and rob themselves of grace. One day, your soul will be required—and heaven’s question will not be “How much did you have?” but “How much did you use for God’s glory?” Remember this: Any Christian who accumulates wealth without amassing grace may die foolishly.
PRAYER
Lord, keep us fearless in trials, awake in spirit, faithful in service, and ready for Your return. Amen.
