Procrastination

In the Parable of the Ten Virgins you have to give the virgins credit for keeping themselves pure, being dressed appropriately for the wedding banquet and having lamps. However, five of the virgins were foolish and failed to take any extra oil with them. When their lamps started going out they were forced to run to town to buy oil. Jesus said, “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. “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matt 25:10-13 NIV). Jesus tells us to keep watch, but the parable implies more than merely keeping watch; we must be ready and prepared. Unfortunately, too many people think they can make a last-minute Wal-Mart run and still make it back before the Lord shuts the door.