Matt 25:1-13 (The Message)
1 "God's kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. 2 Five were silly and five were smart. 3 The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. 4 The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. 5 The bridegroom didn't show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep. 6 "In the middle of the night someone yelled out, 'He's here! The bridegroom's here! Go out and greet him!' 7 "The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. 8 The silly virgins said to the smart ones, 'Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.' 9 "They answered, 'There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.' 10 "They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked. 11 "Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, 'Master, we're here. Let us in.' 12 "He answered, 'Do I know you? I don't think I know you.' 13 "So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.
It is by grace that we are saved, yet grace which makes no difference in who we are and how we are, becomes no grace at all.
The five foolish bridesmaids remind us that we dare not take grace (oil in our lamp) for granted. We must always be ready when the moment of ministry comes. The moment to live out our gift of grace. This takes a lot of attention to our own spiritual health, asking ourselves “how is it with my soul?” often. And then being filled with God’s grace.
The five wise bridesmaids who had enough oil and could not share it reminds us that:
There are some things no one can do for me - I have to do it for myself.
I have to be responsible that there is enough oil in my lamp. So we are ready to be responsible to others, with enough oil in our lamps to be a source of hope, comfort, and joy to them.
We need to be ready to give
the gift we have been given -
the gift of grace!
Prayer thoughts for the week:
"Lord, reminded me often that life and everything in it is a gift before it is a right.
And help me keep my lamp full of oil so I am ready to be "a random act of kindness".
reflecting your love for me and through me."
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