Are You Prepared?

While this early Spring snowstorm, Virgil, was an unwelcome visitor, none of us in its path should have been caught unprepared.  For the last few days, weather prognosticators had been warning the Midwest showing us its approach across the great plains.  I’m sure that Wal-Mart did a brisk business selling milk, bread and eggs, in addition to snow shovels and de-icers.  When that first snowflake fell, I was ready, snug and smug inside my warm, well-stocked home.  The idea of being prepared, in a spiritual sense, is of utmost importance.

There are numerous stories in scripture that tell about wise and ready folks, but there are also those that point to foolish folks who chose to ignore. During this Holy Week, Jesus was still busily doing, teaching, preparing, answering skeptics and demonstrating to all the manifest power of God. In fact, some of the most important teachings/parables on preparedness occurred during this time frame.  The one that most of us are familiar with is the story of the Ten Virgins.  If you recall, ten young women went out to greet the bridegroom. “Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.” Matthew 25:2-5.

 Falling asleep seems to be a common, reoccurring problem in scripture.  These ladies knew how important it was to have full lamps, but some failed to go to Wal-Mart, and when the guest of honor arrived, their lamps were out, and so were they. “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.” Matt. 25:10.  The door was shut, it doesn’t get any plainer than that.  If we are unprepared to meet Jesus, the bridegroom, when he returns, we will be left out in the dark, no matter how hard we yell and knock.  “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matt. 25:11-13.  Jesus is forewarning us that, yes, he will return, but we, and even he, doesn’t know the exact date and time.  Therefore, if you’ve been procrastinating thinking that you have plenty of time to fill your lamp, you don’t.  Today he invites us in to the wedding feast, and we can have special seating at the family table, IF we are prepared and willing.  Are you prepared? There is no second seating.

*****Special Notice****  I will be out of town and away from my computer until April 8th.  In that time I would appreciate your prayers for my daughter who will be delivering her 3rd child, my 5th grandchild, tomorrow, March 28th. Please feel free to leaves comments, I'd love to get to know you better!  Thanks so much!!  Donna