Keep Your Lamp Burning: Spiritual Readiness and Discipline

In recent days, as the world watches athletes compete in the Olympics, we are captivated by their incredible performances. But behind every moment of triumph is a lifetime of preparation—an untold story of discipline, practice, and perseverance. We see the medals, the glory, and the celebrations, but rarely do we consider the years of sacrifice and dedication it took to reach that point.

This preparation is not just about skill; it’s about discipline in all areas, including diet, exercise, and mental strength. Olympic athletes must constantly be ready for every routine, no matter how small, because each one contributes to their overall success. They spend a lifetime getting ready for what may only be a few minutes of competition.

Similarly, as Christians, we are preparing for a grand event as well—the return of Jesus Christ. Just as athletes prepare for the Olympics, we are called to be spiritually ready for His coming. The difference is that while athletes know the date of their competition, we do not know when Jesus will return. Therefore, our preparation must be constant, lifelong, and marked by discipline.

A Lesson in Readiness

In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins. These women took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were wise and brought extra oil with them, while the other five were foolish and brought none. When the bridegroom arrived unexpectedly, only the wise virgins were prepared, and they entered the wedding feast with him. The door was shut to the others who were not ready.

This parable is a powerful reminder that we must be ready at all times for the return of Jesus. Like the wise virgins, we must prepare by keeping our spiritual lamps burning, ensuring that we are filled with the "oil" of faith, righteousness, and discipline.

How can we ready ourselves for the return of Christ? It requires discipline in every aspect of our Christian life, just as athletes train tirelessly for their event. Our preparation is not for a one-time competition but for an eternity with God. Every act of worship, service, and devotion is part of our training.

1. Worship: Our worship now prepares us for the eternal worship we will offer in heaven. Cultivating a heart of worship here on earth trains us to glorify God forever.
2. Fellowship: How we love and care for fellow believers prepares us for the fellowship we will experience in heaven.
3. Service: By serving others, we are following Jesus’ example. In heaven, we will continue to serve God joyfully for eternity.
4. Prayer and Devotion: Developing a deep relationship with God through prayer and Bible study helps us grow spiritually. In eternity, we will continue to know and enjoy God in ways we cannot fully comprehend now.
5. Sharing the Gospel: This life is our opportunity to share the good news of Jesus with others, bringing more people into the kingdom.

At the heart of all this preparation is our greatest calling: to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Romans 8:29 tells us that we are predestined to become like Christ. This process, called sanctification, takes discipline. Just as athletes discipline their bodies for a race, we must discipline our lives to grow in holiness and become more like Jesus.

The Discipline of Keeping the Lamp Burning

Maintaining spiritual discipline is crucial if we want to be ready when Jesus returns. It’s not easy, but it’s essential. Discipline is what helps us stay on course when we feel weary, distracted, or tempted.

1. Prayer and Bible Study: We may not always feel like praying or reading the Bible, but these practices are vital for spiritual growth. Just as athletes push through fatigue, we must push through spiritual lethargy.
2. Worship: Making time to worship God, especially on the Lord’s Day, requires discipline. In the busyness of life, we must prioritize worship.
3. Obedience to Christ: Growing in holiness requires disciplining our bodies and minds to obey God’s commands. We are not slaves to our desires but must make our desires obedient to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

The discipline we cultivate in our spiritual lives will ensure that we are ready when Jesus returns. Just as the wise virgins were prepared with their oil, we must be prepared with hearts full of faith and lives marked by discipline.

In the parable, the wise virgins received the blessing of entering the wedding feast with the bridegroom. This is a picture of the eternal joy and fellowship we will experience with Christ when He returns. But the foolish virgins missed out because they were not prepared.

Jesus’ message is clear: Be ready. We don’t know the day or the hour of His return, but we do know that those who are ready will be blessed.

As we go through life, let us remember that keeping our spiritual lamps burning takes discipline. Let us be vigilant in prayer, worship, and service, so that when the Bridegroom comes, we will be found ready and will enter into the joy of His eternal kingdom.

"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42).

"Blessed is that servant whom his master finds so doing when he comes" (Matthew 24:46).

A Call to Readiness

The prudent virgins didn’t just expect the bridegroom for one day; they were ready every day. In the same way, we are called to live our lives prepared for the return of Christ, with hearts and minds focused on Him. This shift in mindset changes how we live. Instead of procrastination or complacency, we become disciplined, intentional, and focused on the things that matter most.

Imagine if an angel announced that the Lord was returning today or tomorrow. How would you respond?

• Would you reconcile with people you’ve hurt?
• Would you share the good news of Christ’s return with others?
• Would you pray like you’ve never prayed before, seeking God with a heart full of gratitude and repentance?

The reality is, none of us know when Jesus will return. But what we do know is that He calls us to be ready. Living with this expectation transforms our actions, priorities, and how we engage with others.

Putting Our Best Foot Forward for the Lord

Living each day in expectation of Christ’s return might seem burdensome if we see it as a task to check off. But what if we approached it with a grateful heart, remembering that everything we have is by grace? When we serve God out of joy and gratitude, it becomes a passion, not a burden.

The Lord doesn’t require perfection or compulsive service, but He delights in our joyful and willing hearts. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us, "God loves a cheerful giver." And 1 John 5:3 assures us that "His commandments are not burdensome." Serving God with all our heart should be a response to the grace and love He has freely given us.

When Christ returns, how will He find us? Not because our salvation is at risk—Jesus secured that for us on the cross—but because we will give an account of our lives. As Matthew 24:46–51 and 25:10–12 show, there is joy and blessing in being found faithful. Imagine the sorrow of standing before Jesus, knowing we didn’t live up to what He entrusted to us. But also imagine the joy and blessing of hearing, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Keep Your Lamps Burning

Jesus uses the parable of the ten virgins to foreshadow the ultimate wedding feast—the union of Christ and His church after the resurrection. Just as the wise virgins were ready for the bridegroom, we are called to be ready for Christ’s return, knowing that blessings await those who are prepared.

We don’t know the day or the hour of Christ’s return, but we know that each day is an opportunity to serve Him. Don’t wait for tomorrow to:

• Pray and seek the Lord.
• Share the Gospel with someone.
• Help a person in need.
• Worship God with passion.
• Obey Him in areas of your life where you may be holding back.

Ephesians 2:8–10 reminds us that we are saved by grace, not by works, but we are called to walk in the good works God has prepared for us. Let’s not grow weary of doing good, for in due time, we will reap the rewards (Galatians 6:9–10).

Let’s keep our lamps burning, ready for the return of the Lord. Each day is a gift to prepare ourselves spiritually, to live in expectation, and to serve the Kingdom. Live each day in readiness, knowing that Jesus could return at any moment.

Let’s be found faithful when He comes.