Mark 13:28-37 

²⁸ “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. ²⁹ Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.³⁰ Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. ³¹ Heaven and earth will pass away,

but my words will never pass away.

³² “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 

³⁴ It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

³⁵ “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶ If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ³⁷ What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” 

Stay Awake 

This is one of those Bible passages that always gets my thoughts going down an inadvertent path. What if I fall asleep? Not knowing the day and hour of Christ’s return may get our gears turning, causing us to franticly check our phones for any news updates that might indicate his return.

As somebody who has always enjoyed spending time outside, I love the thought of learning a lesson from nature, or in this case, something as simple as a fig tree.

As I sit here writing this, looking out of my parents’ kitchen window, believe it or not, I see our fig tree. Now, in early January, it is dormant, enduring the cold and darkness of winter. However, come springtime, it will burst into life.

The fig tree does not spend all winter checking its phone for news updates concerning the beginning of spring. So why should we be concerned? Just like the fig tree senses the coming of summer, so too, can a Christian sense Christ’s return. Knowing this, we can live without the fear of falling asleep, for living in Christ is staying awake.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your Son. Help us to remember that you did not create us to live in fear and anxiety, but instead made us to live a life of love, joy, and peace until you come again.  Amen.