Likening ourselves to the Ten Virgins....

Each of our testimonies are unique and very personal, just like the lamps that are made for our use. Some lamps are made from ordinary clay or terra cotta. Some are smooth and have intricate designs. But all of them hold oil and all of them produce light. Like each of us we have different uses for our light (our testimonies). Some it is to see us through our joy and celebration and the times when it gave us comfort through disappointment and discouragement. To some it warms the heart of an older women, to realize that even now, after years of use, the flame still burned as bright as it had the day it was made. Our light helps guide us through change and brings courage in the hours of darkness. When the pathways of life met another, we can pause to lift our lamp in front of us and consider our direction. We can also lift our lamp in helping the lost, the weary and worn find their way back.  Warning not to forget your lamps rushing and hurrying about in our daily lives. Keep life simple and lovely. Some will wonder if their enough, picking at their outside appearance feeling less than others, comparing ourselves and our lamps to others. Some will search for happiness never discovering the hidden treasure that she already carried with her.  We are all unique and should take careful care of our lamps, be grateful for the time taken to make her such a beautiful gift.  Some may think that they are still so young and none of her friends ever used their lamps. Don’t just use your lamps once in a while or just for decoration. Some seek more oil, they travel with others through the darkest hours of the night, stood vigil with the sick and warm the lives of the lonely, they know their ability to bring comfort at anytime, day or night. They’ve seen sorrow and know grief. Some walk through life carrying extra oil, sharing her simple abundance  with those who have little. Some see their gifts as a treasure never leaving their sight on that which is most precious to them. Keeping our flame lit is a difficult task, one that requires diligence and constant attention. Some reflecting on the light wonder, “Why don’t I light my lamp more often?”  Some can’t wait until their lamp is finished to be made and then hour by hour their oil becomes less and less in their lamps as they seek for no more oil until the oil has run out. Some they find their lamps has been broken from the storm and then she becomes devastated, then picking up the pieces she gently sets them on the table and every time she passes by the small pile she would close her eyes and wonder if her heartache she felt inside would ever go away. After many days she finally excepted what she had known all along: There is only one who can fix the lamp. Then there was another storm, there are slippery hills and then a down pour came, realizing she’s not going to make it she cries out for help. Within an instant he was there, he covers her with his heavy cloak, then lifts her with his strong arms and carries her up the steep hill. He then sets her down and gives her two gifts, a restored lamp and grateful heart. The lord knows that each of us use our lamps in our own way. He also knows who prays the most and uses their lamps more often and as he is asked to do he will fill our tiny lamps with oil, drop by drop, according to our own needs. In time he will choose those who are worthy to enter in and each will receive an invitation. It is a great honor to be given this invitation, one that many women waited a lifetime to receive.

Springtime will quickly merge into summer. The righteous women can barely contain their excitement for the events that are about to be unfolded. As preparations continue, anticipation grows, the ten make their way through the crowded streets, as the Lord watches from the top of the hill and waits.