There are many ways I can go with this, but I'd like to start out with an all too familiar parable:
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all be came drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet Him!' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves. And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But He answered, "Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day or the hour." (Matthew 25:1-12)
On their wedding days, most brides want it to go as smoothly and perfect as possible. They wear a beautiful white dress and veil, and make sure their hair is perfect. They want to look beautiful for the moment they meet their groom for the first time and enter into wedded bliss. Much preparation is usually put into this special occasion with everything-not even just the look of the bride. It includes decor, food, music, flowers...every last detail perfect, showcasing the love the two have for one another.
How often do we stop to think about the other marriage we as Christian women must attend to? As members of the Lord's body, we are the bride of Christ! (2nd Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:25-27) How much preparation and thought do we put into making sure we are ready when our Lord returns? As the parable above describes, we must be prepared! We must have every detail taken care of, and our hearts cleansed and beautified to meet our Lord.
The wise virgins obviously loved and cared very much for the man about to become their Groom. They spent so much time preparing and making themselves ready for His arrival. The foolish however, it's obvious they didn't care as much as they should have, or they would have been prepared.
The truth is, we don't know when Christ will come back and claim His bride. Jesus doesn't even know when Himself (Mark 13:32, Matthew 24:36, 2nd Peter 3:10). Shouldn't we strive to be ready at all times? We mustn't be like the foolish virgins who were ill prepared.
Consider often what you are doing. What if Jesus were to come back at that very moment? What would He find you doing? Will you be doing some sinful act that God would not have you do? Where would that put you if He came back at that moment? Scary to think about, isn't it?
No body is perfect, but the key is to always be doing the best we can to do right in the eyes of the Lord. Draw near to Him, and always ask for forgiveness. Ask Him to help you be better where you are weakest. Do your best to be as beautiful in heart that you can be when He finally returns.
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