Our Max considers his solemn duty in life is to eradicate squirrels from our yard. He sits for hours being ever vigilant of any unauthorized activity. No fence top, roof top or tree is free from his purview. Once an intruder is spotted the speed of pursuit and the wolf howl begins. This has resulted in manyhilarious moments as we watch him go about his business.
Today, however, we came upon a new adventure. Max wanted to go outside thus we opened the door and walked out. I heard this noise , an unusual noise, that is coming from the tree next-door.High on a dead branch sat a crafty squirrel and it was making a rhythmic noise and staring directly at Max. I believe the enemy has now organized themselves and have set out guards to warn the rest of the soldiers that Max has come out the back door. Max, not knowing what the squirrel was doing, did not notice him on the branch, as it was 20 feet in the air in the neighbors tree. So he had a disappointing morning and was not able to chase any of his favorite creatures over the fence and far away.
Today I find that I must admire the squirrels. They were settinga watch out because they knew that danger was coming. This made me think of a parable the Jesus related to His disciples regarding His return:
Matthew 25:1-21
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
Jesus tells us through this parable to set out a watch. A watch that can either lead to great joy of joining the feast, or one of great sorrow that we didn’t prepare properly, believing the time would come sooner. The five foolish virgins begged the Lord to open up and let them in. His turning them away must have been very hard for them to accept.
It has been many years since Jesus walked this earth. Many today have given up the watch, they act and do many things contrary to the teaching of God. Some disavowing that He exists claiming autonomy, they are a god to themselves. Others believe that they can go on with whatever they are doing and jump on the train as it pulls out of the station allowing them to join in the feast. Still others are so wrapped up in earthly things they don’t have time to be watching. Which are you?
As the squirrels now have positioned a guard to watch for Max, Μax keeps an eye out for them, as the Lord kept an eye out to know which virgins were prepared to enter the feast. Maybe this is a stretch in the lesson Jesus was giving to His disciples, but it reminded me to always be watchful. As we travel through this Advent season, let’s remember that our Savior will return indeed. Let’s pray as we consider this “Come Lord Jesus, come”.
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