girlswithbibles

Matthew 25:7-9 Then the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.” “No,” they replied, “there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”

In this passage of scripture, Jesus is telling a series of parables. The women were waiting on the bridegroom to come so they could escort him to the bride’s home, but they did not know when he would come. The bridegroom would come at night, and the lamps were used to illuminate the path to the bride’s house. There were two types of women waiting: those who were prepared and ready, and those who were not. As I was reading this passage, two things stuck out to me: “The virgins woke up” and “there may not be enough.”

They woke up. Three small words, yet so powerful. How often do we go through the motions of life, and even the spiritual aspects of our lives, simply out of habit? But are we really prioritizing what we are meant to? The women who were ready with oil in their lamps woke up and were prepared, while those who were not ready woke up scrambling and begging for oil. Going through the motions of a Christian lifestyle does not automatically mean God’s Spirit is with you, much like the second phrase spoken by the women with oil to those asking for some: “there may not be enough.” On first read, this seems harsh, and I even contemplated the meaning of this phrase as it relates to the abundance of God’s grace in our lives. “There may not be enough” is speaking of the women’s readiness as well, not selfishness from those who had oil, but rather symbolic of the intimacy of faith and our individual relationships with God the Father, our faith in Jesus Christ, and our dependence on the Holy Spirit to light our path.

All of us are in a season of waiting: waiting on the paycheck to clear, waiting on the vacation that has been planned for months, waiting for the important phone call, waiting for a job promotion, or waiting to hear and see God’s plan unfold in our lives. The list can go on and on. Yet how often, in the waiting, do we actually have enough oil in our lamps to illuminate the path God has placed before us? Do we personally have the relationship and the faith needed for the waiting season? In the waiting, have we overlooked the most important part of the equation, and that is God? Are we prepared not only for what we are waiting on, but also for what God wants to do in us while we wait, using the talents, gifts, and abilities He has already provided?

The wise virgins could not give away their oil because spiritual readiness is personal. We can be encouraged by other people’s faith, strengthened by their testimony, and blessed by their prayers, but we cannot live on borrowed oil. Each of us must choose to seek God for ourselves, remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and keep our lamps burning through daily surrender, prayer, obedience, and trust.

The bridegroom came at an hour they did not expect, and in that moment, preparation could no longer be borrowed, delayed, or rushed. The difference was not revealed while they were waiting; it was revealed when it was time to move. The same is true for us. Waiting is not wasted time when our hearts are surrendered to God. It is the place where He fills us, forms us, strengthens us, and teaches us to depend on Him. Let us not wait until life demands light to discover whether our lamps are full. May we wake up now. May we prepare now. May we keep our lamps burning now, so that when the Bridegroom comes, we are not found scrambling in the dark, but standing ready with a steady flame and a lamp full of oil.

Reflection Question: What are you doing in this season of waiting to keep your lamp filled with oil?

Prayer: Father, awaken my heart where I have been going through the motions. Help me not to depend on borrowed or complacent faith and last-minute preparation. Fill me with Your Spirit and teach me to walk closely with You in every season of waiting. Prepare me for what You have called me to do, and let my life shine brightly for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.