As this viral pandemic spreads across our world, our country, and even our community, I realize that in some ways I was prepared and in some ways, I was not.

I always keep an extra supply of toilet paper in my basement. Yes, 22 rolls should be enough for two or four of us. I also keep plenty of frozen foods, meats, casseroles, and canned food handy.

But what about those other less essential items? Masks, gloves, pancake mix, even my hairstylist services? Items that are in scarce supply and that I’d be very happy to have right now.

Seriously, how could anyone truly have prepared for this crisis, since it is nothing that we have ever experienced before? Will having gone through it this time make us, me, more prepared in the future? I would hope so.

But let’s talk about spiritual preparedness.

Matthew 24:44 says, “Therefore you must also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect: (ESV). I must ask myself, is my heart ready for Jesus to arrive? 1 John 2:28 says, “ And now, little children abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.” But Jesus also says in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

So how can I prepare for him and not have fear of what is happening in this world today or tomorrow or next year?

There is a way to be sure that we are fully prepared. Matthew 7:7-8 says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be open.” This is a promise to fulfill our every need for all of eternity. When I think of this promise, it’s an amazing offer, and all we need to do is accept him as Lord of our life.

Now perhaps you already have made this commitment, but you haven’t fully embraced it or lived it on a daily basis. Now is a great time to recommit and get better prepared. Perhaps the path to this better connection with Jesus is through reading his Word, prayer, getting into a small group with other Christians to share your praise and worship and study, or getting more connected to your church family. These are concrete ways to get ready and shored up for the next challenge ahead that we are sure to face in this world.

I encourage you not to put it off for another day. In Luke 12:35 Jesus says, “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning.”