When business is going well

Work was going well. Yes, very well indeed.

Jim couldn't stop himself rubbing his hands together as he cast his eye over the latest monthly figures. His timber yard was bustling with energy, and the shouts of the foreman and the sound of sawing came through the open window.

But he had a problem to deal with. He had seen only growth for the past three years, but would it continue? Lots of building work going on. And lots of rebuilding work too. There were always places that burned down in the hot summers - and there were plenty of louts around who were happy to set fire to places for fun. But there was a cloud on the horizon. His best customer had just finished his massive project and, unless he decided to start something else equally ridiculous, it would drop his income by a quarter the next year.

Have to lay off some staff maybe. Question marks over his wife's plan for remodelling the kitchen. Have to get on the road and drum up some new business. Life would be harder, but he didn't mind that. He loved his job - and the rewards that came from it.

But plenty of time to think about all that over the next few days, he thought, as closed the door on his office for the night. Tonight we will celebrate another great year of business. His wife was preparing a lavish dinner at home and he was looking forward to the party. He would ride his wife's complaints about how difficult it was to cook in their "unsuitable" kitchen, and just kick back and enjoy it. Great food. Good wine. His daughter and her fiance. The neighbours, friends and few business colleagues and customers would make an evening to remember.

As he topped the rise on the road home he saw it again - majestic against the darkening sky. He shook his head again and smiled in pity. It was impressive of course - massively impressive. But ridiculous none the less. But still, the man's money was safely in his bank account, so why should he care. However stupid the idea, the man had paid for it all, and his business had flourished as a result. Who was he to complain?

Jim turned away as the vast shadow of the land-locked boat lengthened in the setting sun. He cast a glance at the darkening sky. "Looks like rain", he said. "Better hurry."

He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. - Genesis 7:23

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. - Matthew 24:36-39