When we know something is going to happen we prepare for it. If we have company coming we plan for them. Most everybody wants to know in advance what or who is coming. We like to be ready. And a lot of times if we are not ready then things do not go so well. We can be hurt or embarrassed if we’re not ready. We can lose things when we don’t make provisions for them. So we know the importance of being ready.
God has let us know that one day the Lord is coming; Jesus is coming. The world is going to come to an end. God has revealed this to us so that we can be ready and prepared for that day. He has told us exactly how to be ready for that day. But will we be ready? Are you ready? Am I?
Jesus once gave a parable where we learn the importance of being ready. He said that “the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:1-13).
The ones who were prepared got to go be with the bridegroom. The ones who didn’t prepare lost their chance. If we are ready when Jesus comes we will go be with Him in Heaven. If we are not ready when Jesus comes then we will not be going to Heaven. How terrible that would be!
God has revealed to us how to be saved. He has shown us how to live righteously. God tells us how to be ready. Are we ready? Are we living for the Lord? Are we looking forward to that day? Or does the reality of it scare us? We must be ready. We can be! By faithfully obeying God and living for Him. He’s coming. And we can look forward to that day! IF we’re ready. Are you ready?
A Cord of Blue 