Be Prepared
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. Matthew 25:10
Have you ever known someone who was always late? Someone who struggled to get moving at the right time? No matter how much advance notice they received, they always seemed to show up late. Or perhaps you can relate to being that person. Some people even expect others to adjust to their chronic tardiness, treating it as a quirk of their personality. Then there are those who always have an excuse for not completing a task because they are so preoccupied with their own circumstances that they never follow through on what they promised to do.
Today’s reading is about people who showed up too late. Jesus explained what it’s like to live according to the principles of the kingdom of heaven. He’s not necessarily describing life in heaven itself but a way of living here in this world that reflect heavenly values.
In the parable, He told about ten individuals who appear to be the same. They hold the same station in life and seem equally equipped. However, five are wise, and five are foolish. The key difference is preparation. It wasn’t about who was watching or waiting; they all slept while they waited for the bridegroom’s arrival. But when the call came, the wise were ready because they had prepared ahead of time for what was to come.
When the foolish finally arrived, they weren’t turned away simply for being late, it was because they were unprepared. They lacked the oil their lamps needed to burn when the bridegroom arrived, and their failure to be ready disqualified them.
2 Timothy 3:17 reminds us that God equips us to be prepared for every good work He calls us to. With His help, we can fulfill our assignments and purpose. As Christians, we are not only called to be ready for the Lord’s return, but we are also to be prepared daily for the tasks our Heavenly Father has set before us.
This principle of preparation is foundational to success in life. God established it from the beginning to help us thrive in whatever we put our hands to.
Today, I encourage you to start making a plan to be prepared and on time. I like to call it margin. It means to build enough space and time into your schedule to be ready and arrive early. Ask your Father in heaven to help you develop a plan and empower you to stick to it. Don’t let your reputation be one of constantly running behind and unpreparedness. Instead, strive to be the first to show up, ready to assist and help prepare for what’s ahead. Embracing this kingdom principle will transform your life—from the stress of rushing to the peace of being ready ahead of time.
Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 25:1-13
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’
12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
The Daily Dose 