Ready

In the parable of bridesmaids

bringing light to the wedding celebrations,

it is their state of preparedness

that finally determines

who will gain entry to the banquet.

We can work the maths out

on the fingers of two hands.

Five go in; five are knocked back.

For the girls in the story

it was flasks of spare oil

that made the difference,

keeping their lamps burning, shining bright,

and keeping the invitation current.

It appears that gospel invitations

to come to banquets, to follow Jesus,

to attend wedding feasts,

are all invitations to live truly.

Stay awake, be ready.

Prepare yourself,

discipline your body, train your mind;

carry sufficient oil – whatever that might be

for you. Keep your Swiss army knife handy.

When you find the invitation extended,

determine to accept it.

Grasp hold, enter in, live to the fullest

and love in the extreme.

© Ken Rookes 2014