Getting Prepared

This morning began with my oldest Son and I reading the word together. He was up 20 minutes before me (I’m working on that), but we both were doing our studies together. When we arrived at the church around 6:30, we began our work, he on coffee (he likes working the Keurig), and me on praying over the services. Then I realized that I did not prepare the Baptistry for today. I had meant to, but, being at the church at 6:00 am yesterday, and then having a full day thereafter, I meant to come back in the afternoon to prepare, and I never did. I wanted to make sure everything was prepared in case we had a baptism today. After a bit of work, my son and I got it as ready as we could, and I’m praying it’s enough!

Today, also (God knows what He’s doing), I read in my personal study about Jesus telling His disciples not to look at days, times or seasons of His return, but to be ready, alert, and watchful in what He told them to do. All too often we get distracted from the work that Jesus called us to, don’t we? And, don’t get me wrong, please, it’s not tedious work. We’re called to be witnesses for Him everywhere we go, to every tribe, tongue and nation. What pulls us from our preparations? The cares of this world: bills, social anxieties, family, jobs, and so many other things. These are things we were never told to focus on!

Again, don’t mistake me, we’re to take care of our families, to be good citizens (of heaven, and, by reflection of that, here on earth), and to make sure we’re caring for our own, but we are never told to be anxious about any of them! We’re told to be prepared for the good works that God prepares ahead of time (Ephesians 2:10)! I want to be prepared, now and always. When Christ calls me home, I want to be found pursuing the Gospel and the Kingdom of God. I pray you do as well.

Matthew 25:1-12

“Then 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.

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’