Tonight's Word 🌱

 

"Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps."

-Matthew 25:7

What do you use to give light? Many use a light bulb or an electrically powered light source. However, there are other traditional light sources. For example, consider a wax candle that we tend to seek out when the electricity goes, or even a scented candle when we want to set a mood. In my country, during the Hindu festival of Divali, deeyas (small cup-shaped oil lamps made of baked clay) are placed all around the devotee's home. Consider also, even before electricity was the standard form of power in homes, many would rely on what we call oil/kerosene lamps. These traditional light sources tend to have some things in common. They have a supply of fuel, and a wick, that serves as a conduit for the fuel, which is lit and burns to give light. On doing some research, I realized also that the wick does tend to get charred, and if not trimmed, tends to smoke or not give off as bright a light as desired. It is therefore a good practice to trim the wick in the lamp to ensure optimal results for light in the dark.

Someone shared the above image with me this week, and it caused me to reflect. Have we looked around lately? Have we noticed how dark it is getting? Perhaps, our eyes have gotten accustomed to the dark, and it has become normalized, but everyday, I hear persons complain about the high rate of crime, the declining levels of decency in humanity, the declining quality of family life, and a dim hope for a better future. These sound so familiar. Did you know that what we are living through now fits the very description of what the Bible says these times will be like? Allow me to share 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and we can determine for ourself if it is speaking truth:

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."

I don't know about you but I see this playing out around me. It certainly is getting darker, and for us to make it through, we need the light of God to keep lighting our path with truth. "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" [Psalm 119:105]

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Matthew 25

1 At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 

2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 

3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 

4 The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 

5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 

8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
9 '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.’
10 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.
11 Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
13 Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

While we all can agree as Christians that the oil represented the Holy Spirit, which some seem to have lacked, it is important to note that they all still trimmed their wicks as they woke up. This was a necessary step to take in order for the fuel to be able to work effectively in their lamps to produce the needed light. 

What can this trimming represent in our own lives? What is charred or needs to be removed and left behind in order for the Holy Spirit to dwell and work with us more effectively to grow us spiritually? What are some things that we need to consistently maintain for our spiritual lives to continue burning brightly in these last days? What are some characteristic last-day behaviours that we are displaying in our own lives? These are questions that are personal and only we can answer for our selves. The Holy Spirit not only wants to be our light in this darkening world, but He desires that we too become conduits of His light to others too, so that as many as possible may be introduced to a true saving relationship with our Father. Let's ensure we are awake and alert, our wick is trimmed, our oil is present and our light burning bright in this darkening world. May all of us be ready for the bridegroom's return.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the parable you gave us to help us understand Your will for our lives. Forgive us for our spiritual slumber. We ask You to help us stay awake, and to not give up on that blessed hope of your soon return. Reveal to us the areas that we need to trim, that You desire for us to work on, for the aspects of our character and lives that we need to surrender to You. Continue to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us. Keep our heart and light burning bright as we prepare and look forward to your soon return. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Be encouraged and blessed by the following that is a cherished hymn of encouragement to many. God bless 🎧🙏🏼🙂

Let every lamp be burning bright [Tricia and Isabelle]