When the Shelves Are Empty and the Door Is Closed

As I am writing this, we are all bracing here in central Virginia for a big snow and ice storm. By the time some of you read this, it may already be behind us. Right now, though, everyone is making last-minute preparations and hunkering down.

It is crazy how storms refocus us on basic things like food, clothing, shelter, and warmth. All week we have been thinking about what we need to get through it. Some people were prepared. Others waited and then discovered heaters and non-electric cooking gear completely sold out. I even saw that Hot Hands warmers were unavailable online because demand was so high.

People are on edge. One person driving behind me laid on his horn and told me I was number one, and if you know what that really means, it was not encouraging. On the radio, someone said it felt like COVID all over again, with toilet paper flying off the shelves.

All of this made me think about a parable Jesus told in Matthew 25, often called the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Ten went out to wait for the bridegroom. Because of the delay, they all fell asleep, but five ran out of oil. When they awoke seeing the bridegroom in the distance, they asked the others to share but were refused. While they went to buy more oil, the bridegroom arrived and entered the house. When the five came back and begged to be let in, he said he did not know them.

Verse 13 is sobering: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

This parable speaks to the coming of the Messiah and has long been connected to His return at the end of time. Here is the key difference from our snowstorm. We knew the storm was coming. We heard about it on the radio, saw it on TV, and some of us even tracked it online. Some prepared and some did not, even though the warning was clear.

Jesus does not tell us when He will return. He simply tells us to watch.

Some of us are watching. Some of us are not. Some of us do not even care. Some think they do not need Jesus. Others believe He is the Savior but assume they have plenty of time.

Scripture tells us that no one knows the day or the hour except the Father, and it also urges us that "now is the day of salvation". Jesus already came, died on the cross, and rose from the grave. One day He will return to bring those who love Him into eternity with Him.

So here is the question. Will you be watching, or will you be asleep, waiting until the last possible moment, only to discover the feast is closed and the shelves are empty?

Jesus has given us plenty of warning. If you do not have a relationship with Him, make today the day of your salvation. Do not assume you have time.

And if you already belong to Him, stay alert. Live each day expecting His return, trusting His promises, and walking faithfully so that when He comes, you are found ready and faithful.

Anyway, I was just thinking…