A Visit of an old friend

Jack and I have been best friends since our school days. He was my best man at our wedding and his wife Jane is godmother to our daughter, so, yes, we are pretty close. Over the years our careers have taken us in different directions. Jack took a job opportunity on the other side of the country, so we’ve not seen as much of each other as we would have liked, but we have always kept in touch, spending time together when possible. He has not enjoyed the best of health recently so it was a pleasant surprise to receive a phone call on Wednesday evening to say that they were staying with friends locally and could they call to see us the following day. Well, yes, of course they could, we would be delighted to see them!

As you can imagine we were up with the dawn chorus on Thursday, the house was cleaned from top to bottom, bread was made, cakes were baked, and fresh flowers cut from the garden adorned every room. Everything sparkled a joyous welcome. Oh and “no you can’t wear that shirt, I know it’s comfortable but go and find a decent one”.  

It was whilst looking out a suitable shirt that Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins came to mind. (Matthew 25:1-13 NIV) Five had prepared in case the bridegroom was delayed by bringing enough oil with them for their lamps whilst the other five had not. When the bridegroom eventually arrived the wise girls were ready. They welcomed him, lit his way into the festivities and went in with him. The foolish girls did not have enough oil to light their lamps and so were shut out.

So the question is simply this; are you ready for the coming of the Lord or are there still a few cobwebs in the corners that need attention? After all when comforting the disciples, Jesus said: 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:2-3 NIV. When He returns to call you home, will you be ready to welcome Him, to go with Him or will there still be some untidiness, some areas of your life that need attention? But before that, in this life when He taps you on the shoulder to say “I’ve a job for you” will you be ready to go with Him?

Yes thanks, we all had a great time together that afternoon. Just like old times in fact.