'Are you ready?'

servants who are waiting for their master’s return at night. Jesus uses two images to emphasis the need to be ready to fulfill whatever God puts before us each day. We should have our ‘waist girded’ and to keep our ‘lamps burning.’ 

To gird your waist meant that your robe was cinched up so that you could run or fight. God told the Hebrews in Egypt to gird their waist on the night of Passover to be ready for when they heard the call to leave Egypt. David girded his robe when he went to war. Jeremiah girded his robe when God told him to take a message to the nations. Jesus is telling us to be ready to move when God tells us, to fight for what is right, and to be ready to take His message to those around us. 

Jesus also tells us to keep our ‘lamps burning’. In the parable, the master was coming back sometime at night. They didn’t know if it would be at nightfall or in the middle of the night. If they didn’t keep the light burning, the master would come home to a dark house. Even worse, he would probably find them sleeping. It is way too easy to fall down on the job and enter a slumber in our faith. We can grow complacent if we aren’t trimming the wick of faith so that it shines brightly. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus tells us that we are the light of the world. If we allow our light of faith and Christian love goes out, how dark will the world become? Who would be able to find forgiveness in Christ, the love of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit to renew their lives.

Are you staying ready for the Master? Each morning this week, start the day girding your robe and ask God what task He has for you today. Keep your lamp burning by reading His Word, praying for faith, and taking the light of Christ to your family, work, and friends. May the master find us ready when he returns.

 Growing in Christ,

Jonathan