Be Prepared

 Be Prepared...it is the Boy Scout motto but I believe it may have been Jesus' motto first. In reading through this week's new testament passages, I began to see a common theme with Jesus speaking with his disciples. He continues to talk of the kingdom of heaven, he lovingly and directly answers their questions about what's to come at the end of the age, but through it all he seems to be saying... be prepared.  

For instance, the 10 virgins with their lamps. He was not upset that they had fallen asleep waiting for the bridegroom, he merely pointed out that 5 of them had oil and 5 did not. The 5 prepared ones went into the feast with the bridegroom while the 5 unprepared were left out in the darkness where there was also gnashing of teeth.  He also told about the rich man who left talents with his servants, 5 to one, 2 to another and 1 to another. Each one was prepared to do something with the talents given him, except for the 1. Out of fear, he buried his and what he was given was taken away. 

But I also believe He was challenging his disciples to not only be prepared and aware of the signs of the times, but to continue to be about the work of the kingdom. This speaks to my heart more than any other part of the passages.  I can get pretty "awe struck" by the descriptions of what will happen at the end times and can allow it to paralyze me from moving in my God given gifts because I get so caught up on looking for the signs that I forget about the wonders in front of me. The wonder of how to care for those around me with the love of Jesus. The wonder of how to speak a timely word into someone's aching soul. The wonder of how to share a meal with someone who may need some company and a listening ear. Could it be that was what Jesus was also saying to us about the Judgement to come when he says in Matthew 25:34 and following: Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger , and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me; Then the righteous will answer Him and say, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You , or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You as a stranger and invite You in, or naked, and clothe you? And when did we see You sick or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them Truly I say to  you to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.

So, to wrap it up, I think, and these are just my thoughts, it is very good to be prepared, to be aware, and to be willing to share while we wait for the coming of the Lord.  Truly we should be prepared in our hearts and souls for His second coming. We should always be alert and prepared for Him to use us in ways unexpected, but also, day to day, we should continue to look for the least of these brothers and sisters and minister to them, too.  Have a wonderful week!