Emergency Preparedness

** The RED PRESSpective is my offering to the Lord.  But this morning, as I prepared to start my day, I was disheartened because I hadn’t had time to pray and study in preparation for today’s post.  Due to the coronavirus pandemic, I have worked a lot of long hours.  As I processed these feelings of discouragement, a passage of scripture came to my mind.  It gave me a different perspective of the current state of our world, and perhaps more importantly, the state of mine.  Its imagery has played in my heart all day. This, today’s RED PRESSpective, is my widow’s mite. **     

Matthew 25:1-13 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. ³ Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, ⁴ but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. ⁵ But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ ⁷ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ ⁹ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ ¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

¹¹ “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ ¹² But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

¹³ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

I am familiar with Emergency Preparedness – – – the process of preparing ourselves and our loved ones for the possibility of an unforeseen set of circumstances that will call for immediate action.  Any Emergency Preparedness manager will tell you to develop a plan, to stay alert, and to have a supply kit.  That’s EP 101. 

Over the past few weeks, COVID-19 has brought the world, all 7 billion of its people, to its knees.  Here, in the United States, everyone is following governmental recommendations for disease exposure minimization.  Everyone is watching the news to see the latest developments on disease spread and case count.  Everyone is scrambling to purchase emergency supplies – – – toilet paper, water, food, flashlights, hand sanitizer, disinfectant sprays and wipes – – – any and every thing necessary to live through this public health emergency.

We weren’t ready.  We were asleep.  We were caught unaware and unprepared…like the foolish virgins.

This morning, I believe that the Lord was showing me that I need to trim my lamp, that I need to prepare for His imminent return. 

I know biblical prophecy – – – God’s process for preparing creation for the certainty of the rapture of the Church and the return of Jesus Christ.  He’s the Emergency Preparedness Manager.  He’s shown us His plan (Matthew 24).  He’s told us to stay alert (Luke 21).  He’s admonished us to stay supplied (II Timothy 3).   

This one in 7 billion – – – me – – – has been brought to her knees.  In prayer. 

Isaiah 9:6 says that “…the government shall be upon his shoulder…”  As a citizen of His kingdom, I must do my part and follow His recommendations for minimizing the disease of iniquity in my heart.  I must also watch for the signs of His return, according to Mark 13.  And lastly, while it is day, I must buy my oil.  It’s going to cost me something when He presses me so that His light can shine through my life.  I must be ready.   

The coronavirus pandemic has reminded me that I cannot get too comfortable.  I must be a wise virgin.  Sister, won’t you prepare with me? 

PRINCIPLE:  “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13