I shouldn't stop that passage in mid-sentence, but it captures the essence. It reminds me of Much Afraid in Hannah Hurnard's, "Hinds Feet On High Places."

"Be sure you are dressed and ready to go at a moment's notice . . . " (The Voice Translation)

She is told she must be ready. But when the Chief Shepherd passes by singing, as a clue for Much Afraid to follow, she is trapped in a cabin with her fear-full relatives.

Ten virgins awaited the arrival of the Bridegroom. Five were ready--only half. The others were left behind.

Lot hesitated when angels urged him to hurry; "take your wife and two daughters . . . or you will be swept away when the city is punished (Genesis 19:16)." The angels grasped he and his family by their hands and led them out of danger-- away from God's judgment.

Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left (Luke 17:35).

If the owner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and prevented the robbery (Matthew 24:42).

Matthew tells us we don't know when the Son of Man will come.

To me this all means I need to walk consistently, not with Jesus one day and the world the next.

To me, it means that it isn't enough to "get ready." I need to "stay" ready.