Devotional 11-4-11

“Get Ready—Stay Ready”

Lectionary Readings: Joshua 24:1-3 & 14-25; Psalms 78; 1 Thessalonians 2: 13-18; Matthew 25:1-13
“1At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise.” “13Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25

Have you ever missed an important event in your life? I once missed my friend’s birthday party because I had not paid attention to the date and completely forgot about the event. I missed out on the fun and celebration of the event, plus I felt that I had greatly disappointed my friend. I had not properly prepared for a significant event in my friend’s life and created a situation that led to the need to ask for her forgiveness. I let trivial worldly activities interfere with a relationship between friends.

In the parable found in Matthew, Jesus was telling his disciples about preparations for a wedding. What a joyous occasion a wedding was in Jesus’ time. The whole community helped with planning and carrying out the traditions and rituals. One of the key events in the celebration was when the bridegroom came to move the bride to their new home. The move was usually accompanied by a “parade” of community well-wishers. In the parable, Jesus relates that the bridegroom was delayed, but when he finally is on the way all were alerted and moved out to meet him. Those who were prepared had enough oil on hand to handle the delay; those who did not buy extra oil have run out and must go and purchase more oil. The message is that one must always be prepared for Jesus’ return. We should strive to avoid the world’s distractions—we must daily “get ready” by confessing our sins and asking God to lead and guide us through our journey. We must persevere with our daily walk and endure life’s trials. The blessing of a grace-filled relationship with Christ will be our reward.

Our adult choir will be singing “Keep Your Lamps” by Andre Thomas this Sunday morning. As with many of the slave songs, this song's impetus came from hearing a sermon based upon the parable found in the book of Matthew, chapter 25, verses 1-13. As a response to the message of this parable, one can only imagine the song stirring from the soul of one slave listener. Jesus was indeed deliverer and a hope for the slave. One can only speculate that this song was sung often, when there was a possibility of deliverance. (You can select from several choirs singing it on You Tube by searching for the title of the song.) Here are the lyrics: 

"Keep Your Lamps”
by Andre Thomas
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning
The time is drawing nigh.

Children, don’t get weary
Children, don’t get weary
Children, don’t get weary
‘til your work is done.

Christian, journey soon be over
Christian, journey soon be over
Christian, journey soon be over
The time is drawing nigh

What are you doing in your daily walk to prepare for your future? Perhaps you are being called to increase your study time. Perhaps it’s your prayer life that needs attention and improvement. Perhaps you are being called to a ministry that is outside your comfort zone or to continue and improve a current ministry. Are you being asked to give up a habit that is a burden to your relationship with God? Whatever the call, you are encouraged by the words of the anthem to not grow weary until your work is done.

Oh God, our strong deliverer: We confess that we do not always follow where you lead. We are not always ready to follow your guidance or work to improve our relationship with you and with others. We have been lax in our preparations and have failed to honor promises that we have made to you. Please forgive us and help us to improve. We thank you for the many messages sent to inspire and encourage us. Help us to heed those messages and to turn from our foolish ways. AMEN

Chyrl Budd