About standing in the shadow of the cross while we prepare for the worst…

Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. (NIV)

Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (KJV)

Tragedy can bring out the best and the worst in human beings. It is as if tragedy works like a giant screen sorting out the best and the worst in human beings, including ourselves. Tragedy can bring out the best in people as ordinary people become heroes who then go back to being invisible and ordinary when the tragedy is over. Many of us may be touched by tragedy of some kind. Tragedy can take us out of our comfort zones or out of the environment in which we are most used to living. We can try to prepare ourselves for such a time but we do not wish to prepare ourselves because who wants to think about the worst that can happen? We might think we are better off thinking about the best but to prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally for the worst we need to think about the worst so we will not be caught off guard. For example, a championship sports team prepares as if every opponent will be its toughest.

In preparation, while standing in the shadow of the cross, we must think first and last about God and where we will put God in our times of tragedy and devastation. In preparation, while standing in the shadow of the cross, we must commit our life to always praying no matter what happens to us and no matter what happens to others around us. In preparation, while standing in the shadow of the cross, we must commit our minds to always keeping God first in all things and at all times. In preparation, while standing in the shadow of the cross, we must think about how we will physically prepare for the worst and how we will physically take care of those who need us and depend upon us.