One of my favorite Gospel artists of all time is the Grammy, Stellar, and Dove award winning group Commissioned. The all-male Christian artists preceded Boyz to Men and other iterations of boy bands. They were known for stirring evangelistic songs like "Go Tell Somebody," "Running Back to You," and "Will You Be Ready?" The lyrics of the latter boldly ask, "Can't you see the signs of the times? Don't you know that the time is short? And soon the LORD, He will return, will you be punished, or get your reward? There will be no more time to get it right, when the LORD, when He cracks the sky. So just keep your hand in His hand, and be ready when Jesus comes!" Soloist Keith Staten's compelling plea urges us to: "Get your house, get it in order! In your life make Jesus first. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning bright, make a stand...stand up for what you know is right. Keep the love of Jesus always on your mind...and...be ready when Jesus comes." It was a strong altar-call song and many have received Jesus by considering the questions posed within it.
Any of us with eyes to see can tell that the times we're in are different than others within our lifetime. This week we're seeing the fatal affects of climate change and natural disasters. Hundreds have died, are missing, and are attempting to recover from hurricane Helene. We feel helpless to do anything but stockpile groceries and necessary equipment as the ILA workers of the 3rd largest port in the US strike for better wages and not to be replaced by robots. Some are stockpiling because they believe items will run out, others because price gouging is probable, while inflation is still high. We grow in our concern about an impending war in which the US may have to become involved, as Iran has now inserted itself in the Middle Eastern conflict. As our elections are looming, strong responses from a lame-duck President may be unlikely. All we can do is view the debate of Vice Presidential hopefuls. If those are not enough signs of the last days...
To be READY means in a suitable state for an activity, action, or situation; fully prepared; made suitable and available for immediate use; eager, inclined, or willing to do something. I remember running track and field in my youth. After months of preparation, I knelt at the start line as the announcer said... READY... SET...and then fired off the gun. If you did not have focus and patience, you could take off running at the wrong time and be disqualified. If you did not respond quickly, you could lose the race. Your body didn't just need to be ready, your spirit, mind, and emotions had to also be prepared. The song "Will You Be Ready?" referenced Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the Ten Virgins:
1“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6“At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ 7“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9“But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ 10“But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’12“But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ 13“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
True Christ followers are called to live our lives in holiness, filled with the Spirit, and in anticipation and hopeful expectation of Christ's return. Half of the virgins were foolishly unprepared and tried to get the oil (consecration) from the wise virgin's personal relationship with the LORD. The wise would not sell or give away what was most precious to them. They were anticipating the Bridegroom's arrival. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Are you prepared if Jesus returned today? If your appointment with death was sooner than you thought would you be ready? There's an urban saying that fits perfectly. It's... "If you stay ready, you don't have to get ready" | 
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