My family is a big-time soccer family. Well, really any sport, but this time of year it’s all about soccer. We have some phenomenal players in our extended family, some good players, and some decent players. We have all levels, but it’s about the fun of the game, the fun of being a teammate, and playing with your friends. We all get that our children will not play professionally, most likely!
Soccer teams generally have a “starting” team–most sports have starting teams: the team that’s up first, prepared, and ready to play, and then the coaches substitute players throughout the game. While heading onto the field to watch a game I saw many of the teammates sitting on the bench unprepared. They didn’t have their cleats on, nor their shin guards and their socks on; they were not ready to go in if they were called upon. They figured they’re not usually on the starting team, so they still had time to prepare. I heard later that the coach was trying to send “non-starters” in to start the game, but they were not ready and couldn’t go in. They lost their chance at starting. They were not prepared. It reminds me of the John Fogerty song, “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play today.” They were not.
This also reminded me of the Matthew 25 story about the 10 girls waiting for their bridegroom.
Matthew 25: 1-4 “At that time 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 took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.” (NIV)
When the bridegroom comes, the foolish women try to get prepared then, but it’s too late. They run out to buy oil but miss the party. They weren’t prepared and they missed out.
I’m a huge procrastinator, so this is really resonating with me. The blogs I write are usually handed in right on time or, if I’m being honest, a few days late. It’s not as if I don’t know these deadlines are coming. I know, I am aware, but I am not prepared.
Matthew 25:1 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”
If Jesus came back today how would you react? Would you be prepared or would you be running around trying to gather oil or get your cleats on? Would you be like most trying to push it off to another day? Would you be ready to jump in and play? Would you miss the party? If you haven’t accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, what are you waiting for? Another day is not promised. Prepare yourself for the kingdom of heaven.
Thanks Amy! I can relate!