I was somewhat perplexed when my plane arrived late at the Denver Airport; I doubted that there was enough time to make my connecting flight. It was comforting to hear the stewardess assure us in cheery tones that we would be speedily directed to the departure lounge on our arrival. Well, either someone missed that memo, or I missed them. Realising that self-help was now my only help available, started that long, exhausting, the seemingly endless journey from one end of Terminal “B” to the other. I always did wonder if one of those golf carts full of smiling souls that passed me was supposed to be my ride.
The Parable of the 10 Virgins is a cautionary tale about the consequences of lateness (Matthew 25:1-13). The Five Foolish Virgins, having missed the groom while panic shopping for extra oil, arrived back late to a locked door and these harsh words: “‘I don’t even know who you are!” (Matthew 25:12).
Every Christian must come to grips with their timekeeping habits. I have no praise for those who are early to that which is irrelevant to the cause of the Kingdom, but also, I have no criticism of those who are never on time because their every minute is filled with helping those who can’t help themselves – especially mothers.
Lateness, for the one who cares, is often a sign that a person has lost the ability to control their environment. However, for the one who doesn’t care, they are just adding to their own demise.
We all know people who epitomise the saying, “He’ll be late for his own funeral.”
But when it comes to organising our time by Eternity’s Clock, we, like the “Foolish-Five” above, had better clear away all excuses immediately!
There is a great day coming, make sure you are ready…
“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:27-28).
John Staiger
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