It’s that time of year when the leaves are turning and the weather is starting to cool down. Although Jesus was raised in a different country and a different time, He experienced the change of seasons just as we do. “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.” Matthew 24:32-33. If you have been outside most of your life, you constantly watch and feel the seasonal changes. If you are in touch with your environment, you can anticipate what is about to happen next. You know what to get ready for. Jesus used this sense that people have to explain that if they would but look around and see what was happening in their culture they would know something threatening was about to transpire. Thirty-seven years after Jesus spoke these words the Roman Prince Titus, son of Vespasian, massacred hundreds of thousands of Jews in Jerusalem and destroyed the holy temple, not leaving one stone on top of another as Jesus had prophesied in Matthew 24:2. Jesus knew this was going to happen and He told His disciples that they should be able to anticipate change if they paid attention. As you watch the changes in recent years in our country and our culture, how do you interpret it? Is the moral condition we live in today stronger or weaker than it was 20-30 years ago? Can you tell what is going to happen next and if so, what do you need to do to prepare for it? Some throw up their hands and say there is nothing we can do, but that’s not true. If you anticipate rough times ahead, and most are predicting just that, the best thing you can do is make sure your relationship with God is rock solid. Strengthening your faith would be a wise choice.