The Parable of the Ten Virgins
At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'
Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'
'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'
But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. 'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!'
But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.' Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Reference: Matthew 25:1-13
The Unprepared Meeting
In a large corporation, a group of employees was tasked with preparing for a critical client presentation. Some diligently worked late, preparing their materials and getting all the details in order. Others procrastinated, assuming they had plenty of time. When the day of the presentation came, those who had prepared were ready and delivered a fantastic pitch, but those who procrastinated scrambled, causing delays and losing the client. Jesus reminds us to always be prepared, for we do not know when He will return. Just as the wise employees were ready when it mattered, we must keep our faith and hearts prepared for God’s timing.