I’ve never told this deer hunting story before, but this is what I looked like 60 years ago. It was early one morning, and I had walked about ½ mile into the woods. It found the perfect deer stand, a big tree on a mound. After standing in the cold and seeing nothing I decided to get comfortable. Well, I got a little too comfortable and dozed off to sleep. Sometime later I woke up to a blowing, snorting sound. When I opened my eyes, standing 20 feet in front of me was the biggest 8-point buck I had ever seen. He was rocking back & forth, staring right at me. And yes, my gun leaned up against the tree. We stared at each other for what seemed forever, then he took off, free as a bird.

I had all the right clothes, gun and I was in the right place, at the right time…but I was not ready. I just showed up. Back at deer camp I looked just like the other hunters. I could even tell deer stories, but I was not ready when the opportunity came.

Jesus told a similar story in Matthew 25:1-13 about the 10 Virgins that were waiting for the bridegroom. Five were prepared for the long wait while the other 5 had not prepared and missed the wedding banquet. They may have had the best intentions by being dressed up and going through the motions, but they missed it.

Sadly, I see other men showing up, at the right place, at the right time, with the right clothes, but they don’t appear to be ready. I’m speaking of guys who “think” showing up for church on Sunday is like me showing up at the deer stand.

I have found getting ready begins each day before my feet hit the floor, saying, “Thank you Lord for what you did for me as I slept. Thank you for what you are going to do this day.”  A few minutes later I intentionally give him the first of my day with prayer & Bible Study. I attend a Bible Study during the week (Bible Study Fellowship) and then on Sunday I am ready to take my place… wide awake. My point is, I pray & study because I want to be close to Him… to know Him… to be ready!

Jesus said in Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.”

Ready?