Scripture Reading: Matthew 24: 36-44
Today, let’s back track a little. How did we get to the parable of the ten virgins historically? What was leading up to this conversation for being “prepared and having a reserve”? Christ was talking to his disciples about his return. “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. “
Are things as bad as they were in the day of Noah? Let’s take a look at Genesis 6, the story of Noah, right before the flood. “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thought of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth.”.
“Their hearts were evil continually”. I know my heart is not continually evil, and most likely if you are reading this, your heart is not evil either, so I think we have a fighting chance that His return is not happening this week. But we still have to be prepared for his return. We have to fight for strength physically and mentally to inherit this wisdom, just as the five women that prepared for his return in the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. The five women in the parable were wise, they took flasks of oil with their lamps. The other five were sleeping instead of preparing.
How do we fight for strength physically and mentally? How do we inherit this wisdom? Number one, and I think most important, is the way we care for our bodies. We are less likely to be able to read, meditate, hear God’s voice, if we are living a life of poor health. I’ve been there. It doesn’t work. The clarity I experience eating a whole foods plant based diet is inherently different. I have an unlimited reserve of energy, I experience clarity of thoughts, and I feel more at ease with the relationship I have with my holy father and the knowledge and wisdom that he imparts. You can experience this too.
If you are reading this devotion on the www.hopeforpain.org website then head to the header that says “Plant-Based Living”. There you will find an explanation for this lifestyle and a diet plan. I have also written a resource to help you transition to this lifestyle, called “In the Garden: 40 Day Journey of Hope and Healing”. There is a tab on the website to purchase this resource. This is a great place to begin to live a life having a “reserve” and a life being prepared for what God may call you to do. Continue with us tomorrow as we dive deeper.
