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Be Ready So You Don't Have to Get Ready.


My Pastor preached that message several weeks ago. 
 I took the message to be regarding a particular situation in my life. Then I did nothing. Later when I was praying about the situation I was reminded of the message. Be ready so you don't have to get ready. I was reading through the Gospels at this time and did not miss the message repeated in the parable of the ten virgins. Be ready so you don't have to get ready. This time my mental framework shifted and I began taking small steps to get ready so I could be ready. Small steps, but steps all the same. I guess they were too small.

My roommate had been away conducting family business for a few weeks. I concluded that she would not come back until after Christmas. So as I threw myself into my studies I let the house slide into a bleak condition. It already was overdue for a bathroom and floors cleaning, but to that I had added dirty dishes, papers, books, and unopened mail. Let's not even discuss my room with the guest bed piled high with the outfits of the past few weeks. I knew that the house was nowhere near ready for my roommate's return and I vowed to get it in order on Monday evening. I like a clean spot, so it was no biggie. I anticipated getting everything in order so that the place would be ready for her return. I would get ready, on Monday evening.

Around 1am on Monday morning I heard a key in the lock. I was in bed and had already slept three hours. "Abby?!" I called out, half in surprise and half in horror. The condition of the house was awful!!!! I was not ready and it was too late to get ready! She was home and she saw the accumulation of mess! I apologized profusely, and she graciously dismissed the messy condition of our home. I however was torn. Should I stay up and clean now?! It was too late! I promised her that it would be clean when she came home Monday evening. I could not help but laugh with God as I climbed back into bed. 

Be ready so you don't have to get ready He has been saying. "Little steps aren't cutting it" He seemed to be communicating, "because they won't have you ready!" When I had completely concluded that waiting until Monday evening would be plenty of time to prepare, my roommate came at the earliest part of the day. 

My job isn't to make conclusions about timing, but to get ready so that I can be ready. What about you? Are you ready?







"The time you spend alone with God will transform your character and increase your devotion. Then your integrity and godly behavior in an unbelieving world will make others long to know the Lord."
Charles Stanley

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