Come on Through!
Ed McClanahan
During my Police career, I had many situations where I had to direct traffic. Certain traffic collision scenes, chemical spills, or barricaded subjects required that traffic be confined to a particular lane or even diverted altogether. But every once in a while a special event would occur that required an entire traffic signal to be turned off. Standing out in the middle of such an intersection, and directing traffic in all four directions took some nerve, and also required very precise hand motions and a confident presence. After allowing cars through from one direction, you eventually had to put up a stop signal to transition to the next line of cars from another direction. Just as you were about to put up a stop signal, you could see it in the next driver’s eyes or facial expression “come on man, just one more! Let me come on through!” On occasion, I would wave another car or two through, but that driver had to be ready and decisive or the stop sign went up!
This reminds me of the parable Jesus spoke of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Jesus was clearly referring to our readiness to meet him when he arrives. Are you ready? Is your lamp full with oil? Are you allowing Jesus to fill it through regular spiritual disciplines? If not, this is a great time to start. Get a Bible reading plan and make it your regular practice to begin the day with it. Find a book with daily devotions or a devotional app and end your day with it. If you allow the Lord to speak to you through his word, and take to heart and apply what he tells you, the words in 1 John 5:13 will come to life: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
You’ll then be ready to come on through when Jesus gives you the signal.