Jesus continued, “God’s kingdom is like ten young bridesmaids who took oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly bridesmaids took lamps, but no extra oil.

The smart bridesmaids took jars of oil to feed their lamps … So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive”. (Matthew 25: 1 – 4, 13)

Prepare for the coming of the Kingdom? I’m stressed out just preparing for my upcoming move to another state. After a number of years living in New South Wales, I’m moving to a very small town in rural Victoria. I’m in the thick of getting ready for it: packing boxes, calling movers, visiting with friends to say goodbye. I’m worried about getting my things there in one piece, worried about how much it’s going to cost, worried about how I’ll handle the transition to a very different kind of lifestyle.

While the uncertainty is scary, it’s also the best part. I can’t wait for all the new people I’ll meet, all the new adventures I’ll have, all the new places I’ll explore. I have no idea what waits me in this new chapter of my life, but I can’t wait to find out. Of course, there will be a million logistical hassles of settling in on that end, too, but I’ve done it enough times to know that’s just the external busy work necessary for the internal work of change. Which is the whole reason I’m moving: I think God is calling me to grow in a different direction and it’s my job to keep my heart prepared with openness to what comes.