After turning his back on God, a man receives a warning to return to Him before it’s too late.

Ruger buckled himself into the passenger seat and laughed as his mom handed over a road atlas.

She peered through her glasses. “What? I haven’t been to your aunt Mary’s for a long time.”

“I know. That’s why I’m going with you. It’s not like I even knew Uncle Stuart. But I don’t need this old map. I’ve got an app on my phone.”

She started the car. “I was hoping you’d leave that phone in your suitcase so we could talk.”

As Ruger shot her a look, she bowed her head and prayed for safe travels. He took a long, deep breath and slowly exhaled, willing his blood pressure to lower. Working in the corporate world and fighting for his six-figure salary had trained him well for this aggravating road trip to his uncle’s funeral with his God-fearing mother.

As they drove through town and headed for the interstate, Ruger clicked on the app while his mom adjusted the radio to a Christian station. He hoped the trip wouldn’t be as long as it already felt.

She turned on the air conditioning. “I still can’t believe Stuart is gone. But at least we know he’s with the Lord now.”

Ruger chuckled.

It was her turn to take calculated breaths, exhaling slowly. “You were brought up in the church. You know Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, something your Uncle Stuart took very seriously.”

“Too bad he didn’t take his 401(k) seriously.”

Her lips thinned. “All the money in the world won’t buy you a single second in heaven.”

“Maybe not. But with as much money as I’m making now, I’m already enjoying a little slice of paradise called beachfront property.”

Before she could respond, Ruger crammed in his earbuds and tuned into his playlist. He closed his eyes and leaned away from his Bible-thumping mother.

Suddenly, static ripped through the song like someone had turned the dial on an old AM radio station, and in the background of that white noise, Ruger heard a single church bell. Then another. He tugged on his earbuds and looked out the window.

It had been a long time since he’d been to this part of town. Churches lined the street with their crosses and welcome signs out front. Some stood tall with steeples poking at the clouds, while other modest churches sat snug in between them. All the church doors were wide open as the ringing continued to grow louder. Quickly, the car came to a stop as people hurried from the hardware store, diner, and small shops, rushing into the churches.

Ruger remembered from a history class in high school that church bells rang out at odd times because a major event had taken place or someone important was visiting.

“Mom, what’s going—?”

He froze. The driver’s side door was open, and his mother was gone. Quickly, he scanned the street and spotted her entering a small church. Ruger left the car and sprinted after her, dodging a woman standing outside the coffee shop who fixated on her phone, and a couple of men who laughed, shaking their heads at him before heading to the bank. As Ruger flew up the steps toward the narrow door, it slammed shut. He tried the handle. It was locked. Frantically, he pounded on the door.

I don’t know you.

Every nerve in his body trembled as he remembered the parable of the ten virgins. He hadn’t been ready, and now the door was shut.

An alarm sounded from behind, startling him. A brick had shattered a car’s windshield, and a violent brawl broke out. A man stumbled and collapsed in the street. The woman by the coffee shop dropped her phone on the sidewalk as a building caught fire and smoke filled the air, darkening the sky.

“Ruger! Wake up!”

Ruger jumped at his mom’s touch. The earbuds fell to his lap as sweat drenched his brow.

“I saw it, Mom. He’s calling everyone in. He’s gathering His church together. The bells—I heard them. Jesus is coming.” His eyes widened. “Pray with me! I need to be ready. Please!” he pleaded. “Oh, Lord. Forgive me!”

Quickly, she pulled the car over and grabbed his trembling hands. She prayed with him as he repented and confessed Jesus as Lord, and together they prayed that everyone would hear and respond to the call to be ready.

And just as they finished praying, a single church bell rang out.

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44 NIV.)

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