The weatherman finally got it right, and it snowed. Not only did it snow, but it also sleeted, then snowed, then freezing rain, then back to snow. ALL WEEK LONG. Because of the early warning, we were able to prepare for a true Tennessee-style blizzard. While we were getting ready for the storm, I couldn’t help myself from singing “Be Prepared” from the movie The Lion King. Scar singing to his minions about his evil plans and selfish desires to rule and be king. As I sing this song (in my head), we chopped wood, dug the generator out, filled it with gas, and loaded the chainsaw into the truck. We were prepared and ready for the winter storm.
Not only did I have The Lion King song stuck in my head, but I also remembered the parable Jesus said about the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Five of the virgins were ready to meet the bridegroom. They came prepared with extra oil for their lamps. The other five were not ready. They left to buy more oil which caused them to miss the bridegroom. When they tried to go to the wedding feast, the door was closed. They knocked and asked to come in, but they were refused entry because he did not know them. The five unprepared virgins missed their opportunity.
After receiving the warning for inclement weather, everyone rushed to the grocery store to buy eggs, milk, and bread. The mad rush to prepare for the upcoming storm created a panic emptying all the shelves in the store. Why haven’t we taken the warnings from God this seriously? Some people procrastinated in stocking up their groceries for the storm. They had to drive in hazardous conditions to get the things they need. Just as these people waited, so do many others, waiting to do what God commands. Remember the five virgins who waited and arrived late? Do you want Jesus to say “I never knew you”? We are not promised tomorrow. Paul tells us to stay awake and be sober “…having put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of hope and salvation” (1Thessalonians 5:6-8).
Like the five virgins who came prepared, we must keep our lamps full by living each day for the Lord. We will not know the day or the hour of His return (Matthew 24:36). Jesus tells us to stay dressed for action and keep our lamps burning, waiting for our master to come home (Luke 12:35-36). We start preparing ourselves by reading the Bible. In doing this, we stay dressed, awake, and ready. We continue to prepare by praying, asking for forgiveness, and showing love to one another.
Warned by God, Noah constructed an ark for the saving of his household (Hebrews 11:7), so must we be prepared. The Bible helps us prepare for the warnings God has given to us. The time will come when we will stand before Jesus. What if that day was today? Would you be ready? We should live our lives preparing for Jesus’s return. What a glorious day it will be when we hear Jesus say instead “… Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) and welcomes us into His kingdom. Go prepare. What are you waiting for?
