“Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones, when taking their lamps, brought no oil with them, but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps. Since the bridegroom was long delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight, there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise ones replied, 'No, for there may not be enough for us and you. Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.' While they went off to buy it, the bridegroom came and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him. Then the door was locked. Afterwards the other virgins came and said, 'Lord, Lord, open the door for us!' But he said in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.' Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." -Matthew 25:1-13
“Be prepared.” As an Eagle Scout, I’ve lived by the Scout Motto my whole life, and most who know me probably think I take it to an excess. So, you can imagine my surprise when I found myself in a place where the Bridegroom no longer knew me because I had failed to prepare myself to meet Him. I applied that motto to every other facet of my life, except for the most important part, my spiritual life. I prepared for every earthly situation but neglected to prepare for the day I would be called to meet Jesus. If you are reading this, then God has given you time, to prepare yourself for that inevitable day in your life when you are going to meet Him. Will your lamp be filled with oil? Will you be there, ready to walk into the wedding feast with Him? My friends, now is the time to be prepared.