This morning I awakened from a dream about the 10 virgins.     In my dream there was a preacher talking about the WISE virgins.  I kept hearing, “Wise virgins” over and over again.

Well, what is a girl to do other than open her bible and read the parable again.

Matthew 25:1-13
At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

Then all 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.’

But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

I can hear my ex-pastor Jim’s comment right now.  He would say, “Context, context, context …” so I began to read the next parable as well.   The next parable is about a master who gives three of his servants money.  Two of the servants took what the master gave them and DID something with it.  They earned more for the master while he was away.  The third servant buried the bag of money out of fear.  He gained NOTHING for his master!   When the master returned, the fearful servant was thrown out into the darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I don’t want to be like the virgins who weren’t prepared!

I don’t want Jesus to return to find me asleep and unprepared for His return!

I also don’t want to have the gifts God has given me buried — hidden due to fear!

Once upon a time ministry drove my life.  I would arrive at church on Sunday mornings at 6:30am to prepare the prayer room for a 7am meeting.  Then praise band, choir, service.   Later that afternoon I would have praise band practice, then choir practice.  Monday nights I led intercessory prayer for two hours (which often lasted more).  I prayed with the pastor a couple of hours on Tuesdays and began meeting with the youth pastor on Wednesdays, then mid-day Wednesday prayer.  Later I attended Wednesday night prayer/bible study.  Do you get the picture?  It was ridiculous really.  Looking back, I don’t know how I could have changed it, but now it just seems excessive.

Today, I am on the opposite side of the coin.  Now I have a child and I’m not willing to commit to too much more than I already have on my plate.   But on the other hand, I don’t want to bury any gifts God has given me.

I need some clear direction here Father.  Help. 

I am seeking for His direction and clarity.

So many times I have held back because I didn’t want to do things ahead of God.  I didn’t want an Ishmael when God had an Isaac planned for me.  I do believe there is truth about things happening in God’s timing, but I can’t allow that to be an excuse either.  Surely there is a fine line there.  Hmmmm.

Any thoughts?

 

(Photo of clay pots that were probably like the lamps used when this parable was written.  Photo credit:   HERE.)