“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” Matthew 25:1-13 NLT
I was neither prepared nor in control of the present state of affairs. I had hurried out with Famous one afternoon after getting home from work. But I had noticed the “poop” bags were empty from the pouch attached to the handle of his leash. Knowing I would need them during our outing, I had grabbed a new roll to carry along. As we started up the hill in front of the house, I attempted to place the new roll in its pouch while at the same time holding onto the handle of the leash and thus Famous. Suddenly, the roll slipped from my fingers, dropped to the asphalt, and proceeded to roll down the hill, producing one long blue stream of plastic down the road. I was left with the nearly impossible task of trying to roll all the bags back onto their original dowel with Famous on the end of the leash ready to get on with his walk. The final result was a mess of plastic wadded up into the pouch which made it very difficult to retrieve the bags for several days.
We are told to always be prepared for the return of Christ our Lord. If we assume we will have time to live right or will be given a second chance to prepare a place for him in our hearts, we are mistaken. Every aspect of our lives should be lived in anticipation of his return. Ultimately, the question at the wedding feast will not be if we have heard of Jesus and chosen to obey him, but whether or not He recognizes us and grants us entry into heaven.
In joyful anticipation, help me to live today, Lord, knowing this may be my final chance to do great works for You.
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