April 5, 2025

The cartridges in the church printer was running low, and the warning on the screen was on for a few days. I put a note in my mental checklist, ‘restock the cartridges.’ You know, purchasing the cartridges does not require a big task. With just a few clicks, it will be ordered and delivered within couple of business days. I say to myself, I will do it when I get home. Then I would forget. A couple of days go by, and then I remind myself, only to forget again. By the time you need to make copies on the printer (especially color copies), you are in trouble. I procrastinated the simple task that would only take a few minutes, that resulted in less par quality of colors on our church bulletin. I wonder if you have similar experiences at home.

I am reminded of the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. The virgins all took their lamps in preparation to meet the bridegroom. Half of them prepared extra oil, just in case. The other half thought that what they had was just enough. The issue is that “the brideggroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.” Matthew 25:5. While they fell asleep, the lamps must have gone out, and when the groom finally appeared, the foolish ones could not join the marching procession because they couldn’t light their lamps. I don’t know whether it was an easy or a difficult task to prepare extra oil beforehand. These five did not have extra replacement oil ready when it was needed. The key is that we need to be ready. “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:13. I hope that this is a good reminder that we always need to be prepared for the second coming of Jesus!

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