The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

1 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Why Weren’t they Prepared?

There are ten women who set out on a journey – all expecting to meet the bridegroom to attend a marriage. So, if all ten were expecting to meet the bridegroom, why is it only half were prepared?

Many times I have set out to do something unprepared, and every time the same conclusion happens-FAILURE! I find myself at a loss for words when someone needs them, or I lose my peace when I should be walking in the total peace of God. Times like this I am all too aware that something needs to change within me, I quickly realize I have allowed other things to pull my focus from Heavenly things,  thus rendering my lamp empty. I have to wake up everyday and choose God! To fill my lamp before I even start my homeschool day! If I don’t seek God first, I fail! I fail as a teacher, a mother, a wife…etc.

The deception Begins

A lot of people, even Christians, today go through life doing whatever they feel like doing. Living life the way they feel like living. Never listening to the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and counsel. Only reading when they feel like it, only helping when it is convenient for them. Oh yes they go to church on Sunday, but come Monday—God who?

These Christians are being deceived into believing they are OK, when really they do not truly know Jesus. They claim to, but really they don’t. And worse yet, He knows them not. Please hear my heart, when I say….Wake up, you are perishing and you will come to the Bridegroom only to realize your lamp is empty.

Daily Preparations

As the body of Christ, we need to prepare, to meditate day and night on the words and wisdom of God. So that we are prepared always, So that our lamp is always filled to overflowing to receive all that God has appointed us to do and receive all that He wants to bless us with. We should never allow ourselves to become empty. What happens when something occurs and you have no oil?

We simply have to be prepared! Prepared before the journey, prepared along the journey, prepared for trials and tribulations, prepared when our brothers and sisters need us, prepared for blessing, prepared for the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The only way to prepare for all of the above is meditation on the Word and daily walking with Jesus. Please don’t forget your oil! Don’t be a foolish Bride! Be prepared for the Bridegroom always!

Have you fallen off course? Have you let other things take your focus away from God? Is your lamp empty? It’s OK! Just repent, forgive yourself and start again! The wonderful thing about God is His Great Mercy! Remember Jesus loves you!

Forest Rose

Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, &  Mama to 3 girls. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed, or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a newfound hope and joy within, that He alone can provide. Besides blogging, she also loves to create printables!