Today’s scripture: Matthew 25:1-13 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):
Here at LifeJourney Church we have weekly Bible studies known as Oasis groups. I host one of these groups in my home each week. Last week we had a spiritual conversation born out of our study verse for that evening. Our attendance numbers have been dropping and we wondered: What should we be doing to get folks to come back to our Oasis group? We’ve tried a few things but at the end of the day we agreed that we have to let God do what God is going to do with us. But then the question for me became: While we are waiting on God to move, what should we be doing? How can we prove to God that our hearts are open to receive a blessing? How do we show ourselves approved?
Waiting on God can be very frustrating. In our reading today we find ten bridesmaids waiting. The parable tells us that they waited so long for the bridegroom that they all fell asleep. I wonder sometimes if we, as believers, have fallen asleep. What I find most interesting about this parable is that if the bridegroom represents Jesus and his imminent return, then the bridesmaids must represent us, the church. We are the believers in Christ and the ones who claim to know him by name. But clearly at least half of us are getting it all wrong . . . at least half. The key is: What do we do with ourselves while waiting on God to move? How do we keep our passion and fire for Christ when the journey seems long?
When we think of the oil in our lamps as faith, patience, and consistent prayer, it’s easy to see how a long wait can burn up all the oil in our lamps. God, when will you come and heal my cancer? God, when will you come and heal your church? God, when will you come and stop the war? God, when will you come and make sure the hungry get food? God, when will you come and put together our broken marriage? God, when are you coming? When are you going to set things right? When will your light shine on the darkness of the world? It can cause us to care only for ourselves, our small group of friends, or only for our small church, and no one else. It is hard to keep the light of Christ shining in the darkness, as a beacon of hope to all around, when we allow our oil to burn up.
How do I know when my oil is running low? Maybe there are signs:
— If you no longer care about the poor, it is a sign that Christ cannot see his light reflected in you.
— If you can no longer be peaceful but seek revenge or intend to hurt, it is a sign that Christ cannot see his light reflected in you.
— If you do not know how to put up with people’s mistakes and can no longer forgive, it is a sign that Christ cannot see his light reflected in you.
— If the only answer to your problems is division rather than finding a way to unite, it is a sign that Christ cannot see his light reflected in you.
Waiting is hard. Souls run dry. But we cannot afford to fall asleep in a dark corner with dry oil lamps, allowing the light of Christ to be extinguished. Rather, take your rest in the Lord. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest.”
Thought for the day: Allow Christ to keep your lamp filled with new oil. Let that oil burn brightly until Christ comes and makes all things right again.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.