Ready Or Not

At the time of writing this post, there are eleven days until our daughter’s wedding.

ELEVEN

Not gonna lie, kind of freaking out. I feel as if the more I do, the more that keeps popping up to be done. It’s like I’ve been playing this endless game of “Whack-A-Mole” for the last six months. I’m praying, by next weekend, I will be relaxed and ready to enjoy a beautiful celebration.

Right now; however, I don’t feel ready… but I’m working on it.

Weddings are such joyous events. There are months and sometime even a year’s worth of planning and preparation that goes into getting everything scheduled and completed. It’s a lot of work, but the end result is lovely and well worth the effort and time spent.

It’s not something you can wait until the last minute and throw together. Well, maybe you can, but I need time to plan all the details and make sure nothing is overlooked. As a mother, you wish the most perfect day for your daughter or son, and strive with all determination to give that dream to them.

Venues to book, caterers to choose, dresses to select, decor, flowers, the list is lengthy. So you stay organized, keep detailed notes and do the best you can. At the end of it all, you just want everyone to have a great time celebrating the newly married couple.

There is a wedding that is coming in the future; however, you do not want to miss. It will contain the finest foods and beverages, those beyond compare to anything you have ever tasted on this earth. Only the best garments will be worn, as it will be a formally dressed occasion, with attire gifted directly from the Master of ceremonies to each attendee.

No expense will be spared. No detail overlooked. You will be caught in awe and wonder of the magnificent splendor taking place. It will be unlike anything you have ever encountered.

But of the moment and hour, we do not know. For the invitation will come swiftly and without time or warning. The trumpet will sound, announcing the beginning of the grand celebration to come and immediately it will be time to depart and take our seat within the great banquet hall.

How in the world, if we do not know when the party is happening, does the Host expect us to be prepared? We are given the answer, in a story Jesus told in Matthew 25 verses 1-13.

He recants a tale of 10 virgins, who took lamps in preparation to meet the soon coming bridegroom. Five of the women brought extra oil, so their fires would burn without ceasing. In this way, they showed diligence and intentionality, and a heart that was bent toward respect for the bridegroom, with a desire to give their best to him. It was a sign of welcome and readiness.

The other five were invited, they brought lamps just as the rest of the women had, but there was no forethought regarding tomorrow. No planning or preparation to ensure they met the bridegroom with their very best presented. They carried not a flask filled with extra oil to prevent an unexpected disaster from befalling their flames. They checked-in physically, but was mentally checked-out.

This parable is not about those who come to church and those who do not. Make no mistake. All ten virgins would call themselves “Christians”. They all attend on Sunday mornings, grab their complimentary cup of coffee from the Hebrews Cafe, and pat their children on the head as they send them off to kid’s worship. This teaching is something deeper.

“Then from the throne there came a voice saying, Praise our God, all you servants of His, you who reverence Him, both small and great! Let us rejoice and shout for joy! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself. She has been permitted to dress in fine linen, dazzling and white- for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. (God’s holy people)” (Revelation 19:5, 7-8)

You are not permitted into the banquet without the proper attire, and you cannot receive the needed garments, unless you have first accepted the invitation from the Bridegroom, Himself- Jesus Christ. A robe of righteousness only comes from Him and Him alone.

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul will exult in my God for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10)

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ, have been clothed with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)

“For our sake, He made Him to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

So what is going on in this story that we need to pay such close attention to? What people groups do the 10 virgins represent? In our parable, all ten women bring lamps and travel to the banquet hall. They know the location and understand a celebration will be happening soon. They have details of the plan, and they even show up. So what is the problem?

Half of them lack readiness. These are the people who show up in church most Sundays without a genuine desire to follow after the Lord. They know the lingo, have heard the preaching and teaching of the scripture and even gather some details about Jesus to throw out in “church” conversation if necessary. They may even raise their hands in worship, if the right song is played. Assist in the children’s ministry? Check that box off.

But deep within their heart, there is no surrender. They are not repentant about sin, especially if it’s just some “little” thing that doesn’t hurt anyone. There is no obedience, because they are not interested in living life God’s way. They can manage perfectly fine without His thoughts or interjection. Church is an outward show and civil duty. They act no different on Monday morning, than the coworker who hasn’t even heard about Christ.

“Die to self? Take up my cross? Hummm…. I guess that sounds pretty “churchy”, but just not very practical. No thanks, I’m good. I believe in Jesus, but I must admit, most of the scriptures are pretty outdated with current culture, so I don’t think everything still applies for us today. It needs to be more flexible because of our modern times. I try to live a good life and be kind to others, that’s really what we are called to do.”

You fools! The oil in your lamps are empty- bone dry. You have nothing to offer when the Bridegroom comes, and by the time you realize you are lacking what it takes, and run off frantically to find it, it will be too late. The door will be closed, and you will be left on the outside to hear-

“I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you.” (Matthew 25:12)

I implore you to take your walk with Christ seriously. Fall on your face in repentance, daily. If these words are stirring within you, then that is the Holy Spirit trying to pull you close. Do not rebel and push against His invitation.

Don’t let the coals of your heart grow cold. Stay alert and be diligent! Gather extra oil for your lamp and be prepared for the soon coming King. The Bride of Christ, the global church, is in need of revival. Do you not see the condition she is currently in? It is disgraceful how we have allowed The Body to slide into slothfulness, and yet we wonder why the world is growing ever darker.

It’s because we have a lot of foolish virgins running around, who don’t have enough oil to keep the fires burning, and their lamps are going out. The flames are dying, weening down to just a flicker, as the shadows loom ever larger in our lands.

Don’t be as one who declares they are a “Christian”, but has zero evidence of any kind of fruit in their lives to back up their bold claim. If your life looks no different from the neighbor across the street who never darkens the door of a church, then why bother putting on airs and attending a service at all? At least then, you will be more authentic in living your life.

Dear friends, we are running out of time. Each day we are either closer to hearing the trumpet sound announcing the start of the great feast, or closer to our final breath. Either way, when one of those days come, you will stand before the Almighty.

Are you prepared? Are you genuine in your desire to follow after Jesus? If you are not sure, reach out to me from my contact page, and I will be happy to discuss that further with you.

There is no time to waste. Ask God to examine your heart and motives, making sure you are fit to face Him, because ready or not…

He is coming.