As Christians, we receive Jesus’ promise of eternal life. It is a joyful celebration with Jesus in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The wise person knows that we have to get ourselves prepared for our life in eternity. It is important to invest our time to live for Jesus, and to bring His Kingdom to the world.
The unwise person, however, lives their lives without taking the promise into consideration.
The unwise person hesitates to go after God’s opportunity
Proverbs said, “The sluggard said, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”
As the door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. (Proverbs 26:12-14)
When opportunity comes, the sluggard hesitated for the “imaginary” risk so they would rather stay within their comfort zone. They may think they are smart but end up going nowhere.
The unwise person is busy with themselves instead of claiming the promise
Sluggard is “‘atzel” in Hebrew, which appeared in Judge 18:9 as well. In the book of Judges, a group of Israelites were in need of finding a new place as home. When they arrived at the place where God showed them, they sent five spies to check it out.
These five spies told the people “Arise, and let us go up against them, for we have seen the land, and behold, it is very good. And will you do nothing (‘atzel)? Do not be slow to go, to enter in and possess the land.” (Judges 18:9)
The spies told the people to avoid doing nothing (‘atzel). It is to encourage the people to stop working on your own business and get ready to claim the promise.
Be wise! Get yourself ready!
In Matthew 25, Jesus shared the parable of the ten virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom. Jesus reminded us that the Kingdom of God would arrive in an unpredictable hour, just like the groom.
The wise virgins are those who thought about the situation and planned ahead. The unwise virgins are those who did not get themselves ready. When the hour came, the unwise virgins missed the groom and the celebration.
Jesus reminded us to be the wise one, stay alert, get ready. Don’t miss out the celebration in the eternity because you are not prepared.
Three ways to stay alert (Ephesians 5:15-17)
1. Remember your destination
Fix your eyes on the promise in eternity so that you can live a life leading you to the promise. It is like planning a trip. You have to know where you want to go so that you can plan and make sure you are heading the right direction.
2. Make the best use of opportunity
Stay alert of the opportunity which God put in your life, and make the best use of it to live your life for God.
3. Live wisely
Finally, take God’s will seriously and think clearly how you are spending your time, with whom you spend your time, and what value you are actually after.
Live wisely and get the most out of your life as God promises.
