The Bottom Line, Ministries Christian News, Articles, & Poetry 
Being caught off guard is no joke. The worst case is when it happens on our “Lazy-day.” It seems like that’s the day visitors always choose to pull the jack-in-the-box stunt, and just pop-up. Perfect Lazy-days are those marked with an unmade bed (After all, we’re still in it), neglected used dishes, armies of dirty laundry, bird’s nest hair, and stale breath. Everything important, such as the television remote and food, is at arm’s length. Worry and care on the other hand, are lock far away.
Such an ideal Lazy-day is a magnet for knocks on the front door. Those knocks then lead to the temper-tantrum-dance in bed; followed by thoughts of staying quiet so our unwanted guest will think no one’s home. But that rarely works, the next best thing is to jump up and quickly try to make amends with our unpresentable living quarters and appearances, before proceeding to the door.
1 Thessalonians 5:2 says “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.” Knowing that something is about to happen before it happens is awesome, but as the Bible verse reveals, we don’t always have that luxury. This means we have to be prepared. Preparation takes time and effort, but the payoff is worth it.
If you haven’t accepted Jesus, you’ll be living your life in a Lazy-day—seven days a week. Then you won’t be prepared to meet Him when He comes knocking. Don’t take a Lazy-day with your salvation. The moment you decide to let your guard down, might just be the moment the son of God returns, and there won’t be any time to put your soul in order… Then what?
Mark 13:32-33: “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”
We don’t get lazy-days anymore. The phone is always ringing with some telemarketer trying to get you to buy something you don’t want or need. Nowadays even call block doesn’t seem to work, as they just use a phone with a different number and keep bothering you. I’m still trying to figure out the purpose of the “National No Call List” since it doesn’t appear to be enforced.
Anyway, I do get what you’re saying. It’s important to be prepared or else we’ll get caught, and we don’t wish that upon anybody.
It’s so true. The days that we try to take off, something, if not everything takes place. Great connection to His word. We do not know the time nor the hour, but just like the virgin brides, we must be looking and not just waiting for our bridegroom to arrive. The day is growing nigh. I want to make sure that I am ready which means I want to be sure my heart is pure and as clean as I can make it and that there are no thoughts of resentment, jealousy, unclosed wounds, etc still lingering that I am not aware of because I just don’t want to deal with it at the moment, or if I do then it brings forth pain and hurt. Instead, I want God to search me and know my heart and test me and know all of my anxious thoughts or ways that are offensive. (Psalm 139:23-24) Great reminder.
I’m glad the point came across Joel. The story of the bridegroom and the virgins is a beautiful addition to the point I’m making Renee. “Bottomline,” the good thing is this: “It is not too late to be prepared, start right now!”