Tracy Winkler
In just a few days, I am hosting 2 big events at my home. In preparation, I have been mulching, pulling weeds, painting my fence and painting my shutters. It’s a lot of work having company over. I want my guests to feel welcome, like I really want them there! I am determined…..I WILL BE READY WHEN COMPANY ARRIVES!
I have seriously put in a good 20 hours of work so far and I am only half way done! I got to thinking, how much time and effort do I put into preparing myself and my home for Jesus? I know for sure that I have spent way more time prepping for this party then I have worshipping this past week. I think I might have this thing backwards!
In Matthew 25, Jesus shares a parable about some smart girls and some not so smart girls (you could say they were knowledge poor). Here’s the story from the Message version….. 25 1-5 “God’s kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn’t show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep. 6 “In the middle of the night someone yelled out, ‘He’s here! The bride-groom’s here! Go out and greet him!’ 7-8 “The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, ‘Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.’ 9 “They answered, ‘There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.’ 10 “They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked. 11 “Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, ‘Master, we’re here. Let us in.’ 12 “He answered, ‘Do I know you? I don’t think I know you.’ 13 “So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.
Listen! When my guests arrive at my house, I want to be ready BUT I really want to be ready when Jesus shows up! I want him to recognize me. I want Him to say, “Tracy! It’s so good to see you! I really love our talks everyday. I especially love that you think of me so often and are always trying to learn more about me!” Yeah. I am not going to be a silly girl and let my oil run dry! Never! How about you?