LIFE SCRIPTS

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But 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.’ And 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. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Matthew 25:1‭-‬13 NKJV

The parable of the ten virgins clearly describes our relationship with Christ. Christ is our groom. We are the bride. A few points to ponder here:

1. Wisdom versus foolishness
   The choices of these brides were dictated by their possession or lack of wisdom. Proverbs 1 states that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. If we want to be wise, all we need is to fear the Lord. We need to ask Him for wisdom. Wisdom that will help us prepare for the coming groom.
2. Wisdom leads to preparation.
   Wisdom always helps us to look ahead. It always helps us to prepare. Here the wise brides ensured that they were prepared for the groom. They sought oil for their lamps and kept it for they knew not when the groom would appear. They adorned themselves and looked presentable so that when the groom appeared, they would be ready. Wisdom gives us the same ability and opportunity. To make ourselves ready for the coming Christ. Wisdom calls on us to always be ready and prepared for the day Christ, our groom comes.
3. Foolishness leads to laxity, apathy and a carefree attitude.
   Verse 5 says that as the groom delayed, the maids slumbered. However, the five wise ones were prepared but the foolish ones weren’t. Yet they still slumbered. Probably they relaxed thinking that the groom would not come after all. This is where a foolish attitude can take us. Foolishness cheats us that we are well when we’re not. It deceives us that the path we’re in is right yet it’s not. It lies to us that our habits are good yet they’re not. Foolishness blinds us. It veils the truth from us. It massages our conscience cheating us that all is well when it’s not. At the end, we’re caught unawares. At the end, we are found wanting. At the end, we fall out of favour with God and we’re not found ready to receive Him.