Effective policing often involves being in the right place at the right time. I found myself at that place one night when a vehicle pursuit began on the interstate. A state trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over. What began as a small chase in another county turned into a parade of police cars by the time it reached us.

I was close, so it only took me a few minutes to get to the interstate. I planned to end the whole thing with my tire spikes. As I pulled into the median, I could see the pursuit arriving in the distance. It looked like something out of a movie. Dozens of police cars lined up behind the single suspect vehicle, like a parade on the night horizon. The only cop in front of the chase was me. This was my moment.

With plenty of time to deploy the spikes, I ran to the back of the patrol car. I opened the trunk and reached in… Nothing. No tire spikes… I suddenly remembered that I had removed them during an inmate transport to another state. I never put them back. My stomach sank as I looked up at the oncoming parade of police cars.

With not much else I could do, I stood there helpless as the parade passed. I felt like the kid who got his gym shorts pulled down in P.E. Apparently, being at the right place at the right time only works if you’re prepared. I certainly was not prepared. My boss asked me over the radio if the pursuit passed me. “Yes…yes it did,” I mumbled.

Jesus told an unusual story once about some bridesmaids and their oil lamps. In those days, the groom often arrived at an unexpected time to take his bride to the marriage ceremony. The wedding party had to be prepared when he showed up. That meant keeping oil in their lamps for a night journey.

Well, when the groom came at midnight, half were ready and half were not. The slackers had no oil for their lamps. So, they could not leave with the wedding party. They went to buy oil, but it was too late. The groom’s door was shut, and they were not allowed to enter.

Jesus was speaking of His return—He expects me to be prepared for His arrival. “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” (Matthew 24:44) I missed my moment during the pursuit because I was unprepared; I don’t want to make that mistake with Him. Now is the time to get ready.

“So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” (Luke 21:28)