There is a dream that I typically used to have on Saturday evenings. In my dream, I would wake up, go through my Sunday morning routine, and when it came time for me to preach, I would step into the pulpit and realize that I had forgotten to put on an article of clothing such as my pants. I would be so glad when I would wake up and discover it was just a bad dream. I didn't understand why I periodically would have the same dream. Freud would have a good time with this one!

A book I read on preaching said that this type of dream was actually a rather common dream among preachers. It was a reflection of feeling unprepared for the Sunday task. I had this dream often when I was still a student in college, because the only time I could find to do sermon preparation was on Saturday. So I would step into the pulpit unprepared for the sermon. Those brethren were so tolerant of me when I was a student. I know that some preachers never get out of the bad habit of "Saturday sermon preparation", which is really an oxymoron.

Paul had something to say about preparation. "Now as to the times and the epochs brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But you brethren are not in darkness that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and son of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith on love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thess 5:1-11)."

Indeed, we should always be ready. Paul concludes this section with an exhortation to encourage and build up one another to readiness. The Lord is coming back to bring us into his house! Don't get in the habit of "Saturday preparation" but be ready at all times for Sunday to come.