“Luck is when preparation meets the occasion,” one Public Relations guru enthused. Another PR practitioner commented likewise, “Better to have it and not need it, rather than need it and not have it.” It’s always good to be ready for any outcome.

The state of readiness or preparedness is the ideal. When Jesus finally sees us, will we be able to hold our lamps up high for him? Or would we sadly discover that we’ve run out of fuel. Even champion athletes know that in order to win their respective competitions, continuous conditioning and training is the key to accomplishing the desired victory. We’ve all got to be on the lookout for when our Master arrives or else we’ll miss him.

Of course, it’s normal to tire out and feel that we’re entering into an endless routine of preparation. But, that’s what vigil means. We’ve got to be on the ready for anything.

Waiting can be tiring. But, Jesus is worth the wait. Parents wait long to see their kids come home after a long separation. The excitement or anxiety is part of the wait. But when we finally get a glimpse of our beloved, it would seem we never waited at all.