preparedness

Here we go again! As we prepare for and wait for Ike's arrival, it brings to mind those who choose not to prepare. I don't go overboard, but just prepare in case the stores will be closed for a few days or if we have additional guests who need a place to stay. Those who do nothing to prepare end up not only putting a needless burden on others, but miss out on the peace and security of being safe and keeping your family safe.

Thinking about this brought the "parable of the virgins" found in Matthew 25:1-12 to mind:

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not."

As I continued researching this parable, I found a summary that says it perfectly:

The thing to note here is that they all had the lamp (the Word), but it is only those (the wise) who had the oil that were allowed into the marriage. What is the oil ? The Bible says," Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."(He 1:9). This "oil of gladness" is what seperates the virgins in the above parable. It is only in the utter abandonment to the love of God that one truly becomes "the Bride of Christ". And this in turn brings on the "oil of gladness". The above parable shows that even though some people have the Bible and read it, that they are missing it's most important value by not having that intimate, personal and total relationship with the Lord.

So what I'm trying to say is while being prepared for a storm is good and wise; are you prepared for death? Do you have the "oil of gladness" - a personal, real, relationship with Christ Jesus?

Stay safe.