Today, Father, was a day to “mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15 NIV) Father, please comfort them in their loss. Amen.

Matthew 25:1-13 (<<click to read the passage)

Growing up a favorite comic strip of mine was Family Circus and as I read a little about Jesus’ Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (or as I recall – The Ten Virgins) one of Bil Keane’s characters from Family Circus came to mind – Not Me.

Whenever Billy did something he shouldn’t have done and he was confronted with it, and as the comic above shows, his answer would often be, “Not Me.”

When it comes to our own spirituality, we may think we can pass the buck, as it were. But the reality of the matter is that I, and I alone, am responsible for my spirituality. No one else can make that decision for me – not my mom or dad, not my pastor or my Sunday School teacher. I alone am the one to decide if I will follow Christ as my Lord and Savior…or if I will place myself upon the throne of my soul.

In Jesus’ parable, five of the ten virgins were prepared – and five were not. Five made responsible choices and five chose not to be responsible. When the bridegroom returned for the wedding party, the five who had chosen wisely were able to join him. By the time the irresponsible five returned from taking care of what should have been taken care of from the start, it was too late.

When the time comes and our Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, returns and we are asked, “Are you ready?” we will not be able to answer “Not me.” and think someone else will take the blame for our foolishness. We alone will have to answer for our actions.

Are you ready?

Oct 29th, 2018, Mon, 8:01 pm