I went to a meeting, and I carried my laptop. Fortunately, before I left home I had opened all the Internet pages I wanted to share as part of my presentation because my Internet connection ceased to cooperate when I got to the meeting.
Later in the day, all the email in my inbox poofed right before my very eyes. Fortunately, I had taken the time to create filters to send most of the emails that I really need into other folders as they came in. Whatever I lost, I can most likely live without.
Have you done all the preparation you need to do?
Taking the time to prepare saved the presentation. Taking time to prepare meant that most if not all of the really important emails were also saved. All this is great, but it really won’t matter 100 years from now.
My dad once asked me that when I was worrying about something. “Will it matter 100 years from now?” I guess he had a point.
In the scheme of things, my preparation paid off in the temporal world. There is a more important preparation to be done though. Are you prepared for eternity?
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matthew 25:1-12
Remember, the church is the bride of Christ. The five wise virgins who were prepared to meet the bridegroom did not share their oil. If the oil represents the Holy Spirit, they could not share. The saved cannot accept for the unsaved. If you are not saved today, only you can make that decision for Jesus.
Your opportunity to accept Jesus is not open forever. Just like my presentation was going to happen – ready or not – your opportunity has an expiration date – ready or not!
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to prepare for eternity. If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, make that decision today – right now. Don’t let another minute pass because you don’t have forever. Jesus is coming. Your time here on earth is passing. One way or another the door is closing. Let not the Lord answer you, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”