Notes to the Lord: Ready for Waiting

Scripture Reflection:Matthew 25

1"Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2"Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3"For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.

Lord Jesus--The lesson is on being prepared for the eventualities of life. Oil was fuel for their lamps. Some of those waiting had thought through the need to be prepared for the possibility of a delay in the arrival of the bridegroom. Some had not prepared for a delay.

5"Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all got drowsy and began to sleep. 6"But at midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' 7"Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.

Lord Jesus--The reality is the delay in your coming is much longer than anyone expected. Your people have not stayed prepared...we have made this place home when really it is just a stop in the journey. We have become too comfortable and too complacent.

8 "The foolish said to the prudent, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9"But the prudent answered, 'No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'

Lord Jesus--This journey of faith is so personal. We try to make it a community activity and some of it is. But the reality is: I have to be prepared. No one else can make sure that I am ready and alert.

10"And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. 11"Later the other virgins also came, saying, 'Lord, lord, open up for us.' 12"But he answered, 'Truly I say to you, I do not know you.' 13"Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.

Lord Jesus--Both groups waited in the light. I wonder if they were laughing and carrying on in the late night hours...they were getting ready for a party. They were going to wedding party that they had been anticipating. Both groups knew that they would be waiting for awhile, neither knew how long.

The difference was in how both of these groups approached the waiting. One group was prepared, one group wasn't. In the end the difference was in timing. Both groups were ready, it was just that one group was just too late in their preparations.

Lord Jesus--Just because I am in the light right now does not mean that I am ready for the wait. Prepare me for the wait no matter how long, Lord Jesus.