Being Prepared....

Being prepared has its benefits. In this parable we see the importance of being prepared. How often do we take things for granted and fail to prepare? Either be it laziness, a non-chalant attitude, being too busy, or whatever the excuse, we should never allow ourselves to get too comfortable in our own shoes. Whenever I have a photo session, I prepare for it. I do a facial analysis of the subject. Look over his/her bio to find any kind of connection that will help me capture their personality. I even look up samples and previous work I’ve done to get ideas. But sometimes (I should all the time) I go above and beyond this preparedness routine. I’ll walk the property or scout a location trying to make a connection. Sometimes, I even goes as far as creating a storyboard of ideas. Whenever I go above and beyond my normal pre-session preparedness I always end up with better images. The point is, you can’t allow your years of experience, popularity, confidence, money, or any other possibility get in the way of taking Christ’s return for granted. The unknown holds us accountable. It eliminates any reason or excuse to not take it for granted. He could come when you least expect it. And when He does come, hopefully, He won’t catch you empty-handed. Being prepared shows how much Jesus’ return means to you. It’s either real and eminent, or it’s not.

1 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps,4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of My return. Matthew 25:1-13