The day is not known

Haiku for watching and waiting
The day is not known,

nor can the hour be guessed at;

the accounting time.

The days of Noah;

doing our everyday things,

expecting the same.

Eating and drinking,

marrying – things to be done

as our lives proceed.

The mythical flood

comes to change everything,

surprising us all.

Fearful images;

one is taken, one is left.

The day is not known.

Keep awake, therefore.

You don't know when the thief comes.

You must be prepared.

The Son of Man comes

when we are not expecting;

the accounting time.

© Ken Rookes 2016

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

Ten bridesmaids

Ten bridesmaids

doing their bridesmaid thing

to make the bridegroom welcome.

Some were smart enough

to know the glitches

that can occur with weddings.

(Big day, so much to go wrong,)

Their spare jars would keep

their torches oiled and bright

to light the path to the banquet.

How to wait

when many have stopped expecting,

how to hope

when others have gone home,

how to keep going

when friends have lost patience,

how to worship

when God seems forgotten,

how to love

when pain must be eschewed,

how to witness

when distractions hold sway,

how to die

when life is ruled by fear.

Somewhere there is abundant oil

for all who would burn bright;

making welcome the Bridegroom

and lighting the path to the banquet.

© Ken Rookes