Don’t Let Your Busyness Keep You From Readyness

I don’t know about you, but the month of May and the beginning of June are always very busy times of the year. End of school year projects and field trips, graduations, vacations, spring/summer cleanings, vacation bible school, and all other kinds of gatherings. 

Here in these “neck of the woods,” Memorial Day kicks off the start of many summer-only exertions. Amusement parks and other recreational facilities only officially open up during the summer season. We in Pa can hike, bike, kayak, sightsee, ride roller coasters til the sun goes down, and take a stroll through the farmers' markets and festivals all around.  Summer is both relaxing and busy all at the same time. 

We undoubtedly know that the weather, “the gift of weather” that we may receive, will be here and gone as quickly as it came. Ecclesiastes 3 says There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens: 

We Pennsylvanians understand “four seasons” in one day. 

Life can be like that as well, can’t it? Just as unstable as the PA weather. Our circumstances can change on a dime, life in general. We are not guaranteed the next day, let alone the next hour. But we are called to be prepared. 

We can get caught up in all “the stuff” and the “doing.” And allow our oil in our lamps to run low and run out. 

In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus tells a parable about half of the ten where not ready for the bridegroom. 

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

In all the busyness and goings-on, may we keep our lamps trimmed and ready. 

Let us not forsake the things of Christ and trade them in for this world. 

As Ecclesiastes references a time and day for everything under the sun. Let’s make sure that each day starts, ends, and is centered around Christ, our solid rock. 

That we don’t get too distracted by the world and what it has to offer, but keep our eyes on Jesus, bringing him to our days into our activities, better yet, bring our “stuff” into his day. His plans and His ways. We don’t have to live such simple, boring lives that we don’t live and enjoy the things that have been made by human hands and the things that bring us happiness and joy in our days, but don’t let them be the driving force of our day. Let that come from Christ Jesus. Matthew 6:33 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Amen!

Have a blessed and fruitful day in the Lord, friends!