Today’s scripture: Matthew 25:1-13 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Genese Parker):
Procrastination is one of my biggest challenges. So, in school when it came time to write a paper for class, it was pretty much a given that I would be working on it at ridiculously crazy hours. In fact, I did it so often that I developed a method for completing assignments with as much “academic steam” as I could muster up. Instead of trying to pull an “all nighter,” because I would inevitably hit a wall around 3 a.m., I decided that it was smarter for me to go to bed at 11 p.m., and then get up at 4 a.m., and work right up until I had to get ready to go to class. This method got me out of many sticky situations, but there was always the nagging thought in the back of my mind: If I was able to pull off respectable grades even with an almost out-of-control procrastination habit, what would I have been able to do if I had actually taken the time to prepare properly and complete the assignments ahead of time?
It stands to reason that being prepared ahead of time is more likely to set us up for success than the stress-filled push to accomplish any task at the last minute. So what do you do when you have a deadline that is coming at any moment, but you have no idea when it will be? That is how Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven.
In Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus tells the story of ten virgins who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom. With great anticipation, they wait with lamps in hand to illumine the night for the arrival after dark. Those who were prepared not only had oil in their lamps, but they also had a second jar of oil since they had no idea how long they would have to wait for the bridegroom’s arrival. Jesus tell us that the kingdom of heaven is like this. So in other words, Christ’s followers should wait eagerly and be fully prepared for his return at any moment.
I don’t know about you, but to me this is kind of a mind-blowing concept! At any given moment, God could return to earth to usher in the kingdom of heaven in its fullness. I must ask myself, “Will I be ready? At any given moment, would I be ready?” Jesus tells us that we should be excited and to wait with eager anticipation. We should wait like those who camp out on the sidewalk on Thanksgiving night, hoping to get that “great deal” when the doors of the store fly open. Are we waiting for Jesus’ return like that? Are we prepared, and excited?
Questions of the day: Are you waiting eagerly for Christ’s return? Will you be ready to welcome Christ when he arrives? What might you need to do to get prepared for Christ’s return?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.