The Cicadas Are Coming!

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. – Revelation 22:20


I live in an area where cicadas are about to make an appearance after seventeen years. The male cicada vibrates ribbed plates in a pair of amplifying cavities at the base of his abdomen making the loudest sound of any insect. It can sometimes be heard as far as 440 yards! If we get the large groups of cicadas the experts predict, the noise can be louder than even the noisiest lawnmower.

I spend a lot of time out on my back deck, and I dread the thought of these flying noisemakers darting around my head.

Every night on the news, we have ‘Cicada Watch.’ So far – no bugs. But they are coming. We’ve been assured of that.

Today, I thought about how, when I was a teenager, most of the popular songs in Southern Gospel (which is what I sang then) focused on Jesus’ return to earth. I’m sure I sang “The King Is Coming” a jillion times.

The other night, a guest speaker at our church recounted how when he was a teenager, the church choir got up to sing "The King Is Coming" and, as a surprise, they hid trumpeters in the choir loft. On a signal, they stood and blasted a trumpet call. He said his five-foot tall granny jumped about two feet – certain the Lord had returned!

But now we sing and write about God’s love, God’s goodness, and God’s blessings, but we don’t focus too much on His return. One way I know that’s true of me is my tendency to procrastinate. If I were looking for Jesus’ to appear at any moment, wouldn’t I be working more diligently to bring others to Him? Would my writing be different? Less scattered? Would I let even one opportunity pass without telling my loved ones and friends about Jesus?

My prayer is that I’ll begin each day with a “Jesus Watch.”

Prayer: God, I pray I will be more diligent in my daily life to tell others about Your love, Your Son, Jesus, and the peace you bestow when we become a temple of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Donna

Update: Well, everyone, I saw my first cicada this morning. I didn't think it looked too intimidating, until we went to Cincinnati today and I heard them en masse. They are quite loud! So the 'cicada watch' has concluded. They are officially here.

But I'll still stay on "Jesus Watch!"