“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”
There is something about being prepared and understanding that staying alert is a quality that keeps us strong. This story always touches my heart and helps me focus on what seeking really mean. It's not earning something but it is accepting something and showing that the gift matters to you. It says in Matthew chapter 25 verses 1-2 "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.” See they all wanted to see the same thing but 5 didn't think they needed to prepare and be ready, that the same old things they always did would be good.
God sent His son because He loves us, that gift is for us to take and use with excitement and joy. The more we learn the more we grow and when we grow and prepare Jesus perfects our faith and we do all we can to be like Him. We will never be perfect on earth but as we put our attention on the truth He sets us free and we continue to desire His wisdom. Look at the excitement from the 5 bridesmaids that were ready. In verses 6-7 it says, “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet Him!’ “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.” They wanted something and were determined to have everything they needed.
The next 5 didn't think much of the journey, they wanted to meet Jesus but they felt just knowing Him and going with the others would be good enough. Verse 8 says, “Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’" See even though they believed they didn't want to accept and prepare what was going to happen. We can't look back and keep our old lives burning, we need to look forward and seek wisdom filling ourselves with Him so the Holy Spirit is loud and clear and we always have oil ready for our lamps. See it says, no one knows the hour of His return, so don't get stuck like the foolish bridesmaids. Look at verse 10, "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.” Don't let the door be locked, it's not what God wants, so He has given us everything we need. Have purpose and be strategic so the fruit of the spirit shines and people see a difference in us and know without a doubt that the door is opened to us. Amen